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, Kumospace and SoWork do it with avatars, 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 on a 2D map |
Walk your avatar over |
Essential $12 per member per month billed annually ($15 billed monthly) |
|
Kumospace |
Avatars in a virtual space |
Move your avatar close |
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 avatar office, 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