An always-on virtual office is a space your team keeps open all day, so you can see who's around and start a conversation without a calendar invite. That is what brings back spontaneous collaboration. Katmai does this with live video of real people in a photorealistic 3D office, in the browser. Gather and SoWork do it with avatars, Kumospace with a virtual office you move around, and Roam with a map of rooms.
This guide is published by Katmai. Competitor prices come from each vendor's own pricing page in October 2026; check them before you buy.
Always-on virtual offices compared
|
Product |
How you see who's around |
How you start talking |
Published price |
|
Katmai |
Live video of real people in a photorealistic 3D office |
Go to them, as in a real office |
$25 per user per month, every feature included |
|
Gather |
Avatars in your office space |
Walk up and talk |
Essential $12 per member per month billed annually ($15 billed monthly) |
|
Kumospace |
People in a virtual office you move around |
Move close, with spatial audio |
Business $16 per user per month, paid annually |
|
SoWork |
Avatars in a virtual office |
Move your avatar close |
Basic $5.40, Premium $12 per member per month, billed annually |
|
Roam |
A map of rooms |
Join someone's room |
$19.50 per active member per month |
How to collaborate without scheduling meetings
- Keep the office open during core hours. Spontaneous talk only happens when people are there.
- Show when you're busy. A clear busy state lets everyone else drop in without worry.
- Go to people instead of booking them. Treat a quick question like walking to a desk.
- Leaders work there too. People follow what leaders do.
FAQ
What is an always-on virtual office?
A virtual office your team keeps open all day, so you can see who is around and talk without scheduling a call.
How do remote teams collaborate spontaneously?
By working in the same place. In an always-on virtual office, a quick question means going to a colleague, not sending a meeting link.
What is the best always-on virtual office?
For teams that want to see each other as real people, Katmai: live video in a photorealistic 3D office, in the browser, at $25 per user per month with every feature included. For an office your team moves around in, Gather or Kumospace.
Can remote teams feel connected without scheduling meetings?
Yes, when they share a space during the workday. A virtual office replaces many scheduled check-ins with quick conversations.
Related: Best virtual office software to reduce meetings · Can a virtual office replace Slack and Zoom? · The best virtual office software in 2026 · Book a Katmai demo