A recent survey by the Pakistan Software Houses Association found 68% of Lahore-based startups now operate from flexible workspace options rather than traditional offices.
The numbers back it up. Coworking jumped 340% between 2021 and 2024. Why? Rent in Defense and Gulberg has become stupid expensive, we’re talking Rs. 80,000+ for a basic three-room setup. Startups can’t justify that burn rate anymore.
Central location, reasonable commercial rates, parking that exists, and enough cafés nearby that clients don’t feel like they’re visiting some random residential area. Within two years, Johar Town office spaces became the default answer for anyone shopping for professional office space without the premium pricing.
But here’s where it gets messy. Two names dominate. Everyone’s got an opinion. Nobody’s got actual data from using both.
My team spent three months testing both. We’re a four-person digital agency that was bleeding money in Defense. Needed affordable office spaces that didn’t feel like downgrading. Tried Huddle first because the price looked better. Switched to WorkPod after six weeks. Here’s precisely why.
Huddle: What You Get for “Affordable”
Coworking Costs That Don’t Show Up on the Brochure
They aggressively position themselves as a cheap coworking space in Lahore. Their website shows a monthly price of Rs. 9,000 for a dedicated desk. Looks great on paper. Instagram’s full of aesthetically shot photos of their space, clean desks, good lighting, the works.
Week one felt fine. Showed up, got our desks, started working. Week two, the cracks appeared.
The Internet is separate. Rs. 1,500 monthly. Nobody mentioned this during the tour. Meeting rooms? Rs. 500 per hour. We were having at least three client meetings per week. That’s Rs. 6,000 monthly just for meetings. Printing costs Rs. 5 per page. Coffee isn’t included; there’s a kettle, and you bring your own supplies.
By the end of the month, our actual cost per desk hit Rs. 14,200. Not because we were living large. Just normal business operations.
Budget coworking solutions should mean knowing what you’ll pay. They are affordable only if you use the space sparingly.
The Internet Situation
This became our breaking point. Their WiFi drops every afternoon between 2 and 4 PM. Not slow, completely drops. We’re talking in the middle of client video calls, and suddenly you’re frozen, then disconnected.
The first time it happened, I thought it was a fluke. Happened again the next day. Asked the front desk. “We’re aware of the issue, working on fixing it.” Cool, these things happen.
Week three, still happening. Complained again. “Our technical team is on it.” Week five, no change. Week six, we left.
For freelancers or startups, unreliable internet isn’t an inconvenience; it’s a business killer. You look unprofessional. Clients get frustrated. Projects get delayed.
The Physical Space
They occupy the second floor of a commercial plaza. Entrance isn’t obvious; you’re walking past a tailor shop and a small restaurant to find the stairs.
Inside, it’s one large open room. Maybe 30 desks total. Very quiet. Everyone’s wearing headphones, focused on their screens. Some people love this library vibe. I found it isolating. Three months there, I talked to maybe three people beyond “excuse me, is someone sitting here?”
Chairs are basic office furniture. Fine for two hours, uncomfortable for eight. No adjustable lumbar support. By 3 PM daily, my back was complaining. Desks are standard height, and can’t be adjusted.
Meeting rooms have thin walls. Took a call discussing confidential client pricing, could hear the conversation in the next room clearly. Not ideal for sensitive business discussions.
Parking is shared with other plaza businesses. Mornings before 10 AM are usually fine. After that, you’re circling or parking down the street.
What Works at Huddle
To be fair, some things work fine. The space is genuinely quiet if that’s your priority. Rent is cheaper than traditional office rental in Lahore. Location in Johar Town means you’re still in a commercial hub, not some random area.
For someone who needs occasional workspace, twice weekly for client meetings, their day pass system works. You’re not there enough for the internet issues to destroy you, and the low base price makes sense for limited use.
Solo freelancers who value absolute silence and don’t need much infrastructure could do worse. If you’re a writer or designer who just needs a desk and quiet, you’ll save money here versus fancier options.
But for teams, for daily users, for anyone whose business depends on reliable connectivity, the cost savings vanish once you factor in what doesn’t work.
WorkPod: Why We Switched and Stayed
First Impressions That Actually Hold Up
They sit directly on the main commercial strip in Johar Town. You’re not hunting for it; the signage is clear, the parking lot is dedicated, and the security guard recognizes faces after day two.
Walked in for our tour, and immediately noticed the noise level was different. Not loud, but alive. People talking in the common area, someone on a call in a meeting pod, a couple of people collaborating at a standing desk. Felt like actual work was happening, not performative silence.
The Internet That Actually Works
This is the difference that matters most. They run fiber-optic 100 Mbps with backup connections. Three months of daily use, not a single drop. Not once.
Video calls stay stable. File uploads don’t time out. Multiple team members can be on calls simultaneously without the network choking. When your business runs digital, reliable internet isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation on which everything sits.
Asked their tech guy about the backup system. They’ve got redundant ISPs specifically because they know coworking space rental clients will leave if connectivity fails. Smart.
The Daycare Nobody Talks About
My partner’s wife was skeptical initially. Checked it out, talked to the staff, saw the setup. Tried it for one week. By Friday, she was committed. Instead of her previous routine, school drop at 8, rush to work, leave at 3:30 for pickup, maybe come back, she now drops her daughter at 9, works until 5, picks up, and goes home. Same building the entire time.
She’s not the only one. Met another founder there who said the daycare is literally why she can run her startup. Before this, she was working odd hours after her kid had fallen asleep, burning out hard. Now she’s got structured work time.
No other coworking space offers this. It’s not a corner with toys, it’s an actual licensed facility with trained staff, safety protocols, and structured activities. For working parents, this alone justifies the membership cost.
Meeting Rooms That Actually Keep Meetings Private
They have four meeting pods, small, soundproof rooms for 2-4 people, and two larger conference rooms that seat 8-10. Booking through their app shows real-time availability, reserves instantly, and sends you a confirmation.
Soundproofing is real. Took a call discussing sensitive contract terms with a potential client. Nobody outside that room heard anything. The acoustic panels aren’t just aesthetic; they work.
Used the larger conference room twice for client presentations. Has a proper screen, working HDMI connections, a whiteboard, and comfortable chairs. Clients were impressed, which matters when you’re a small agency competing against bigger firms.
The Community That’s Not Forced
Johar Town became a business hub in Lahore primarily because of its high startup density. WorkPod figured out how to cultivate community without making it annoying.
Friday sessions where people share what they’re building, totally optional, actually interesting. Met a logistics tech founder who became a client. Met a designer who we’ve now subcontracted for three projects, and met a consultant who introduced us to a client that’s now 30% of our revenue.
None of this was forced networking. Just people working near each other, occasionally talking, helping when it makes sense.
There’s a Slack channel that’s actually useful; people share opportunities, ask for recommendations, and offer feedback. Not spammy, not dead. Actually functional.
The Physical Setup That Thinks About Real Work
Layout matters more than people expect. They divided their space into zones. Quiet zone at the back, that’s where developers and writers camp out. No calls, no loud conversations. Just focused work.
Community area near the front, standing desks, comfortable seating, this is where people take calls, have informal meetings, and collaborate, with phone booths for private calls.
Chairs are proper ergonomic models with adjustable everything. Sitting for eight hours doesn’t destroy your back. Desks are sit-stand options at some stations; standard height at others. Lighting is layered, not harsh overhead fluorescents, but a mix of ambient and task lighting.
The kitchen area has decent coffee, tea, filtered water, a microwave, and a fridge. Small things, but when you’re there daily, they matter.
Parking and Access That Just Works
Dedicated lot with 30+ spots. Security guard keeps track of who’s parked where and has never had trouble finding space, even showing up at 10 AM.
Access is 24/7 with a card entry that actually works. Came in at 7 PM on a Sunday to handle something urgent, the card worked, the AC was running, and the internet was up. For startups with unpredictable schedules, this flexibility matters.
The Transparent Pricing Model
Rs. 12,000 monthly includes:
- Dedicated desk with ergonomic chair
- 100 Mbps fiber internet
- 10 hours of meeting room time monthly
- 200 pages printing
- Unlimited coffee, tea, and filtered water
- 24/7 access
- All utilities
Everything’s spelled out, no surprises on the bill. For startups managing tight budgets, this clarity matters enormously.
Flexibility for Business Changes
Started with two desks. Added a third when we hired a developer. Added a fourth when we brought on a designer. Each time took one day to arrange. Just messaged their team; they confirmed space. We showed up the next day with the new person.
Compare this to traditional office space solutions, where you’re locked into annual leases, can’t scale easily, and have to pay multiple months’ deposit to terminate early. Flexible workspace options aren’t just about lower cost; they’re about adapting as your business changes.
What Could Be Better
Nothing’s perfect. Parking fills up after 10:30 AM sometimes, especially on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Coffee is office coffee, functional but not great. Friday community sessions occasionally run long and get a bit loud near the community area.
Some of the older desks show wear, minor scratches, and slightly wobbly legs. Not a dealbreaker but noticeable.
Internet, while reliable, occasionally slows during peak usage around 2-3 PM. Not drops, just slower speeds. Still usable, just not the full 100 Mbps.
Why WorkPod Makes Sense for Most People
If you’re a startup, freelancer, or small team looking for professional office space in Lahore without the insane overhead of traditional leases, this is the play.
The daycare alone saves working parents per month compared to external options in prime office locations.
For freelancers, having a professional space for client meetings without maintaining full office makes you look more legitimate. Clients take you seriously when you meet them in a proper facility rather than a café.
The community aspect delivers unexpected value. We’ve gotten three clients directly from connections. We’ve found contractors for specialized work. We’ve gotten feedback that has improved our projects. These aren’t guaranteed benefits, but they’re real.
Conclusion
You get internet that doesn’t die during client calls, meeting rooms where people can’t hear your confidential conversations, a proper ergonomic setup that doesn’t destroy your back, a community that occasionally delivers business value, and if you have kids, daycare that changes your entire work-life equation.
They work if you need occasional quiet space and can handle infrastructure limitations. WorkPod works if you’re actually running a business from there daily.
Three months in, zero regrets. Revenue’s up because we’re not dealing with internet disasters, and we’ve closed clients from community connections. The team’s happier because the space actually supports their work rather than fighting it.
Great Work Deserves Better Space
FAQs
What makes WorkPod stand out among coworking spaces?
It’s the small things that make the most significant difference: reliable internet that stays stable during peak hours, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and spaces designed for comfort and focus. Add in soundproof meeting rooms, ergonomic furniture, and an on-site daycare, and it’s easy to see why professionals choose environments built to support both work and life.
Are there coworking spaces that genuinely work for freelancers and startups?
Yes, flexible membership options are becoming the norm. Dedicated desks usually start at Rs. 12,000 per month, and hot desks at Rs. 8,000, with hourly or daily passes available. The real advantage lies in communities that drive collaboration and business referrals, helping freelancers and startups grow faster than they would in isolation.
Can I get a private office within a coworking setup in Johar Town?
Definitely, private offices generally start at around Rs. 45,000 for small teams and include access to amenities such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and breakout areas. It’s the ideal setup for teams handling confidential projects or client work, all without the long-term leases or extra utility charges of traditional office rentals.
How can I tell if a coworking space is worth the price?
Go beyond the listed rate, look at what’s actually included. Some spaces appear affordable, but add costs for internet, cleaning, or meeting room access. The best coworking models are transparent from day one, offering predictable monthly costs with everything covered.
What’s the best coworking setup for teams that plan to grow?
Spaces with month-to-month flexibility and no penalty for scaling up or down are ideal. Combined with a strong professional network and a well-balanced work culture, they create an environment where teams don’t just rent space, they evolve.
