The tropical island by the name of Penang is one of Malaysia’s top destinations. Visitors from all over the world are welcomed to this idyllic location, anxious to spend some time in this unique place. Penang is ready to welcome international digital nomads, local business owners, startup founders, and all types of freelancers that want to do some networking while enjoying the attractions Penang has to offer. In that sense, the island has a variety of coworking spaces that can help all kinds of workers to network more effectively. We have therefore compiled a list of the best coworking spaces in Penang, most of them in George Town and some from throughout the island. But first, before diving into this list, let's look at the benefits of coworking in Penang.
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Why work remotely in Penang?
Working remotely in Penang, Malaysia, offers numerous benefits and unique opportunities. Here are some key reasons why it might be appealing:
Cost of Living and Quality of Life
Affordability: Penang has a relatively low cost of living compared to many Western cities. This includes affordable housing, food, transportation, and other daily expenses.
Quality of Life: The lower cost of living allows remote workers to enjoy a comfortable and often luxurious lifestyle.
Unique Cultural Experience
Rich Heritage: Penang is known for its rich cultural heritage, blending Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. This is reflected in its architecture, festivals, and food.
Language: English is widely spoken in Penang, making it easier for foreigners to communicate and integrate.
Modern Infrastructure
Fast Internet: Penang has reliable internet connections and a growing number of co-working spaces and cafes suitable for remote work.
Ease of Transporation: The island has a well-developed transport system, including buses, ride-hailing services, and an airport with connections to major cities in Asia.
Community, Networking & Talent
Expat Community: Penang has a vibrant expat community, providing ample networking opportunities and social connections for remote workers.
Local Talent: The presence of local universities and tech companies makes it easy to find skilled professionals for collaboration.
Tropical Climate
Tropical Weather: Penang enjoys warm, tropical weather year-round, which can be appealing to those who prefer a consistent, sunny climate.
Local Cuisine
Food Paradise: Penang is renowned for its diverse and delicious street food, blending flavors from various cultures. This makes it a food lover's paradise.
Excellent Healthcare
Quality Medical Facilities: Penang is known for its high-quality healthcare facilities, which are both affordable and easily accessible.
Challenges to Consider
While there are many benefits, potential challenges include:
Humidity: The tropical climate can be quite humid, which may take some getting used to.
Traffic: Traffic congestion can be an issue in certain parts of the island during peak hours.
Overall, Penang provides a vibrant and dynamic environment for remote workers, balancing affordability, cultural richness, and economic opportunities.
Who is coworking in Penang?
Penang attracts a diverse range of remote workers due to its favorable living conditions, modern amenities, and vibrant cultural scene. Here are some types of remote workers commonly found in Penang:
Digital Nomads
Freelancers: Many freelancers in fields like writing, graphic design, marketing, and consulting choose Penang for its affordable living and vibrant expat community.
Tech Professionals: Developers, software engineers, and IT specialists often find Penang a conducive environment due to reliable internet and coworking spaces.
Entrepreneurs and Startup Founders
Startups: Penang’s growing startup ecosystem attracts entrepreneurs looking to launch or scale their businesses. The community, combined with the lower costs, makes it an attractive location for startups.
Small Business Owners: Owners of small online businesses or e-commerce sites often find Penang a cost-effective base with easy access to Southeast Asian markets.
Corporate Remote Workers
Telecommuters: Employees of companies that allow remote work may choose Penang for its pleasant lifestyle and good infrastructure.
Remote Teams: Some companies have entire remote teams based in Penang to take advantage of the lower operating costs while maintaining close ties to the Asian market.
Creatives and Artists
Writers and Authors: Penang’s rich cultural environment and serene spots can inspire writers and authors.
Artists and Designers: The island’s vibrant art scene and numerous galleries make it appealing for visual artists and designers.
Educators and Researchers
Online Educators: Teachers and tutors offering online courses or language lessons can find a supportive community and good work-life balance.
Researchers: Academics and researchers, especially those involved in cultural or regional studies, find Penang’s diverse heritage and resources beneficial.
Health and Wellness Professionals
Health Coaches: Health and wellness coaches offering online consultations often choose Penang for its holistic lifestyle options and natural beauty.
Yoga Instructors: Many yoga instructors find Penang an ideal place to offer virtual classes or workshops, with plenty of spots to host retreats.
Consultants and Advisors
Business Consultants: Professionals offering consultancy services in various fields like finance, management, or technology often base themselves in Penang for its strategic location in Asia.
Legal Advisors: Remote legal advisors who work online with international clients may also find Penang a practical location.
Remote Customer Support Agents
Support Specialists: Customer support representatives working for global companies can benefit from Penang’s cost-effective living and time zone advantage for servicing clients in different regions.
Penang’s appeal lies in its ability to offer a mix of modern amenities, affordability, and a rich cultural backdrop, making it suitable for a wide array of remote professionals.
What is the cost of coworking spaces in Penang?
Hot Desks start at USD 10 per day.
Monthly Memberships range between USD 60 and USD 120.
Private Offices cost around USD 340 per month. Private offices in Penang are cheaper than in cities like Manila or Da Nang.
What are the best coworking spaces in Penang?
MASCO wants to enhance digital nomads’ experience while coworking. As Penang's largest coworking space, it is the ideal venue for talented professionals to interact and join forces. Their purpose is to create a coworking space that gives individuals and companies a solid platform for growth.
Best for: startups and small businesses looking to network and outsource growth services.
Location: Prangin Mall, 33-1-123A, 33-2-123, 33-3-123C, (Level 1 to Level 3, Atrium B, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, Georgetown, 10100 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 7 | Hot Desk USD 70/month | Fixed Desk USD 115/month | Private Office USD 343/Month
Website: https://masco.my/
The well-known brand Regus has a branch in George Town’s center. Local and international businesses frequently choose this beachfront site since it is convenient to access other parts of the island. This 22-story building is opulently decorated inside with gold accents and cutting-edge lighting fixtures. It is also close to numerous restaurants with a view of the seashore, and a wide selection of surrounding stores and cafés.
Best for: digital nomads looking to see the city or companies that need solid infrastructure.
Location: Menara Boustead, 39, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah Unit 1.01, Ground Floor, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Coworking Space USD 94/month | Office Space USD 117/Month
Website: https://www.regus.com/en-gb/malaysia/george-town/menara-boustead-4593
Settlements is a great coworking opportunity for those who want to mix and mingle with other location-independent workers. It offers many perks, such as a 24/7 card access system for the Settlements hot desk area, printing, use of settlement amenities (complimentary coffee and tea), good internet connection, lockers, and membership advantages through several partner stores.
Best for: remote workers looking to meet other people to work and travel.
Location: Level 8, Livingston Tower, 170 Argyll Road, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 6 | Hot Desk USD 74/month | Dedicated Desk USD 92/month | Private Desk USD 160/month
Website: http://settlements.work/
Common Ground is an 18,000-square-foot collaborative space on the second floor of Moulmein Rise Shoppes. It’s located in the well-known Pulau Tikus neighborhood, which is home to the most active and well-established commercial zone outside of George Town City Centre. The property is close to attractions like Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon and is situated in a bustling boutique retail area.
Best for: Remote workers and independent contractors who value networking possibilities and flexibility, as well as startups and small teams who profit from a collaborative environment with some privacy.
Location: Level 2, Moulmein Rise Shoppes, 9, Jalan Moulmein, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 11.5 | Hot Desk USD 114.5/month | Fixed Desk USD 160/month | Private Office USD 183/Month
Website: https://www.commonground.work/my-en/locations/penang/
Located in the center of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Spaces has individual offices, shared spaces, and meeting rooms to rent. It’s fully equipped with the newest technology to enable your business to flourish. With an entrepreneurial atmosphere, it has great networking possibilities. When your workday is over, you can explore the nearby shops, eateries, street art, and historical sites.
Best for: entrepreneurs or visiting workers looking to enjoy the city.
Location: Standard Chartered Building, 2, Beach St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Coworking Membership USD 95/Month | Office Space USD 130/month | Dedicated Desk USD 115/Month
This gorgeously renovated pre-war structure called Hundred Years still has a lot of its old-world charm. The structure is thought to have been built more than a century ago. It is close to Penang's historical sites and surrounded by antique stores. It is particularly significant as an illustration of an extremely early store-house structure. You have everything to work here, as long as you don’t get too distracted by the place’s amazing history.
Best for: freelancers and digital nomads who are also history buffs.
Location: 83, Muntri St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Upon request.
Website: https://www.hundredyears.space/
Depending on the package selected, M Summit’s benefits include free parking, reduced price for hotel suites, free printing, and 24-hour air conditioning. Their premises offer luxury comfort combined with a productive setting. Their modern offices are worth the try to get some work done while in Penang.
Best for: freelancers and remote workers that need modern spaces to concentrate.
Location: 191, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 5 | Hot Desk USD 69/month | Private Office USD 915/Month
KLN Coworking Space provides an amazing combination of modern design and complete services; promoting a productive and easy workday by providing high-speed internet, ergonomic furniture, and fully equipped conference spaces. What actually distinguishes KLN is its vibrant community culture, which is fostered via monthly networking events and seminars.
Best for: startups and entrepreneurs
Location: 1B, Taman Bukit Dumbar Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Upon request.
Website: https://www.klnspace.com/
eSOVO offers a business startup program for companies. Starting at a very low price, they offer a customized coworking experience. It is perfect for those who are always on the move. Their professional offices have amenities like high-speed WiFi, email, fax, printing, and copying.
Best for: startups or freelancers looking for a good price and professional setting.
Location: 5-1 & 7-1 1st Floor, Logan Heritage, Union Street, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: upon request.
Website: http://esovo.com.my/
Ada+ @ Straits Quay is a coworking space that ADA Shared Services Sdn Bhd owns or manages In Penang, Malaysia, ADA was founded in 2008 and has been a leading Office & Space as a Service provider ever since. Bring your laptop so you may launch your company right away or rent an office the size of your company, no matter how big or small your team is.
Best for: freelancers and companies that need a tailor-suited office service.
Location: 3A-1-13, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang Tanjung Tokong, 10470 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: https://sq.ada2u.com/
Collaboration is The Venture’s motto. They welcome ambitious professionals and business owners who want more than sharing an office. Their culture is based on consistently offering support and services to empower their members to help them succeed. It’s not only a place to meet like-minded individuals but a strategic partner in growing your business.
Best for: startup and business owners looking for full support while coworking.
Location: Lot 508-2-1, Tanjung Point Residences, Jalan Tanjong Tokong, Tanjung Tokong, 10470, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 7 | Open Hot Desk USD 66/month | Dedicated Desk USD 89/month | Private Office starting at USD 340/Month
Website: http://www.theventure.com.my/
Forward School has a special dedicated coworking space for students. It is an innovative spot committed to technology and future skills in Penang. It’s ideal for aspiring tech professionals to learn some useful ways to quickly evolve in the tech industry. It’s a tech-driven community space that integrates co-learning, coworking, coliving, and much more.
Best for: highly motivated students and professionals looking for a community to grow in.
Location: 2, Lebuh Acheh, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 7 | Hot Desk USD 80/Month
Website: https://www.forwardschool.co/
ConnectNow is a community of ambitious, hardworking, and sociable business owners. It’s great for those who want to concentrate on developing innovative enterprises without having to worry about paying rent or electrical bills or running out of coffee. Everything you need to get going is available in their cutting-edge coworking space, including meeting spaces, cozy workstations, networking opportunities, and refreshments.
Best for: entrepreneurs and teams who aim for innovation.
Location: 71-2, Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass starting at USD 9 | Private Office starting at USD 137
Website: https://connectnow.my/
Hotdesky.my is a coworking space in Bayan Lepas. It has everything you would expect: shared spaces, meeting rooms, and a clean environment to focus on while coworking. Plus, it’s not far from the seashore for you to have a good break on the beach.
Best for: remote workers traveling through Penang Island.
Location: 1-02-12, Summerskye Square, Jalan Sungai Tiram 8, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: upon request through the website.
In Bayan Lepas, you will also find Workshop Area, a small and simple, yet convenient coworking space. In this cozy environment, you should see excellent service from the helpful staff and affordable prices.
Best for: digital nomads looking for a smaller and less expensive coworking space in Bayan Lepas.
Location: 308D, Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, Desa Ria, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: upon request.
In George Town’s center, Bangunan Wawasan is home to the co-working space and studio known as Gigspace. It is conveniently situated in Penang's Creative Digital District. Gigspace offers a a variety of coworking spaces and venues with a distinctive atmosphere. The area is big and calm, making it ideal for working on new ventures or businesses. Parking lots, public transportation, and local restaurants are available as well.
Best for: all kinds of remote workers and teams.
Location: 7, Gat Lebuh China, Taman Dhoby Ghaut, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Day Pass USD 5 | Hot Desk USD 69/month | Dedicated Desk USD 350/month
Website: inquire via https://www.coworker.com/malaysia/george-town/gigspace
EasySpace is a recently launched coworking facility that was founded by an IT veteran to give startups and novel business owners a cozy and pleasant place to work. EasySpace helps like-minded individuals to collaborate and find strategic partners, renters, and associates in order to build networks, share ideas, and create synergies.
Best for: entrepreneurs and digital nomads eager to network.
Location: SummerSkye Square, NO. 1-2-13 & 1-2, 13A, Jalan Sungai Tiram 8, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Hot Desk Day Pass USD 14 | Hot Desk USD 92/Month
Website: https://www.easyspace.asia/
Plug-Ins Spaces Coworking Space provides a dynamic and adaptable workspace, all accessible via easy day passes or flexible subscriptions. What distinguishes Plug-Ins is its no-boundaries policy—no deposits, no contracts, simply pay-as-you-go freedom.
Best for: remote workers and freelancers who need flexibility.
Location: Standard Chartered Building, 2, Beach Street Ground & Mezzanine Floor, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Join as member.
Located in the heart of Butterworth, Penang, @FlexiSpace Coworking Space provides a modern and energetic atmosphere with an appealing interior design and natural lighting that provides an inspirational background for work. @FlexiSpace offers flexible hourly rentals as well as extensive facilities like printing, scanning, and on-site café services, ensuring a seamless working experience.
Best for: professionals and entrepreneurs who require a strategic work location in Penang.
Location: 7323, 2nd Floor Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Hot Desk Day Pass USD 9 | Hot Desk Monthly Pass USD 22
Website: -
Located in the center of Seberang Jaya, Bersama-Sama Coworking Community is a colorful coworking environment that encourages collaboration and creativity among their members. Bersama-Sama believes that "together we are better," and conducts a variety of programs such as Toastmasters, essential oil workshops, and their iconic Nasi Lemak Networking sessions to foster an open atmosphere for learning and growth.
Best for: Freelancers, professioanls, and solo entrepreneurs looking for a community
Location: 26-B, Jalan Todak 2, Seberang Jaya, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rates: Dedicated Desk Monthly Pass USD75 | Conference Room USD 7.5 / hour | Event Space USD13 / hour
Website: https://www.bersama.my/
Located within the innovative The Ship Campus in Batu Kawan, the Entrepreneur Growth Hub (EGH) serves as a beacon for ambitious entrepreneurs and companies. EGH offers unparalleled access to mentors, networks, finance, and market prospects, as well as frequent events, workshops, and networking sessions. Furthermore, EGH promotes a healthy work-life balance by providing perks including gym memberships and full auxiliary services.
Best for: entrepreneurs and new startups looking for mentorship and connections.
Location: No.1, Education Boulevard, Batu Kawan Industrial Park Simpang Ampat, 14110 Batu Kawan, Penang, Malaysia
Rates: Hot Desk Weekly Pass USD 21 | Hot Desk Monthly Pass USD 70 | Fixed Desk Weekly Pass 295 | Fixed Desk Monthly Pass USD 93 | Private Office Suite starrts from USD 424/month
Website: http://entrepreneurgrowthhub.com.my/
Closing thoughts on coworking spaces in Penang
Penang's coworking spaces are well-equipped to accommodate both local and international visitors, as the city is a popular destination for digital nomads. You can look over the various options, contact them, visit them, and try them out to find the one that best suits your needs. Coworking in Penang is an excellent stop on your remote working journey, so keep this guide handy when looking for coworking spaces in Penang!
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