OfficeMates vs Joan: Which is Better for Hybrid Teams?
Lightweight team coordination vs all-in-one workplace hardware and software. Which fits your needs?
Overview
OfficeMates
A fun, software-only tool for hybrid team coordination. See who’s coming to the office, coordinate lunch, and build team connections. No hardware required. Free for up to 50 users, $3/user for Pro.
Joan
An all-in-one workspace solution combining hardware displays with software for room booking, desk booking, and visitor management. Known for their e-ink meeting room displays. Custom pricing including hardware costs.
Hardware vs Software-Only
OfficeMates is pure software: no hardware to buy, install, or maintain. Joan is a hardware plus software bundle. Their e-ink displays outside meeting rooms are beautiful and useful, but require purchase, installation, and ongoing costs. OfficeMates works with any office setup in 2 minutes; Joan requires hardware procurement, shipping, installation, and network setup.
The Verdict
Joan is excellent if you want beautiful hardware displays for meeting rooms and a complete facilities solution. OfficeMates solves a different problem: team coordination, not facilities management. If your goal is helping people know when to come to the office and what to do for lunch—without hardware costs and installation—OfficeMates is simpler, faster, and more affordable.