Let me grab you a virtual beer, find a comfy chair and get you up-to-speed with the best digital nomad companies in town that’ll help you become a digital nomad.
First of all, welcome! If you’re unsure of who I am… My name is Katie. I am the stoked traveller behind the keyboard at KatieGoes. I’ve been location-independent for over two years, so I know how to become a digital nomad and how to keep the lifestyle going sustainably whilst travelling.
I’m in love with the global community of digital nomads. They are inspiring, open and friendly (to say the least). In light of this, I would like to make my contribution by helping you to attain your goal of becoming a digital nomad too!
Before your guard rightfully goes up, you should know that this blog post does not include any affiliate or sponsored links. The companies below have ONLY been included, because I know they are great contributors to the location-independent community.
So you would like to become a digital nomad? Let me point out some of the best companies to help you make the leap…
Remote Year
Remote Year can probably take credit for being the incentive a lot of people needed to begin their journey as digital nomads.
This well-known digital nomad programme provides freelancers, entrepreneurs and professionals with a stepping stone between their 9 to 5, and living the location-independent lifestyle that some could only have dreamt of.
A crowd of about 50-80 applicants work alongside each other over the course of twelve months, on a travel itinerary organised by Remote Year.
What’s the downside? The price tag is huge.
Although to be fair, the package does include accommodation, reliable internet, community events and transport between the various countries for up to a whole year!
Selina
The huge chain of Selina accommodations has rapidly grown in recent years. So much so, that they now stretch across over 15 countries, with multiple places inside each one. These include Argentina, Colombia, Israel, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
A Selina hostel/hotel typically features a range of room types, a professional coworking space, an active community and an unlimited amount of angles to catch your ideal Instagram shot – it’s the perfect place to start your nomadic journey!
Because of their budget-ranging rooms, Selina appeals to a wide scope of travellers from slow-travelling digital nomads to money-saving backpackers. Selina’s communities are made up of a huge mix of people. So, this is a great option if you feel you are not quite ready to immerse yourself amongst the more serious hard-working digital nomads just yet.
Nomad Cruise
The Nomad Cruise has been high on my bucket list for years! To me, it feels that if you’ve never done a Nomad Cruise; then you’re not quite in the community.
I’ll get there one day!
But honestly… I’ve heard nothing but true love for the community hosted by this cruise ship.
Their typical route is from Europe to South (or Central) America, then back again. Digital nomads are invited to many amazing workshops onboard. As well as conferences, meetups and business masterminds. You may not have the most reliable internet connection en route across the Atlantic, but you will not be short of distractions – that’s for sure!
WifiTribe
If you’re seeking a bunch of lifelong friendships with great like-minded people, then you can also head over to WifiTribe! They have done an inspiring job at creating a worldwide network of digital nomads who are constantly crossing paths again, again and again.
WifiTribe have the most extensive list of locations (which they call ‘Chapters‘). These span across five continents. Out of their collection, I have my eyes on Kenya, Oman, Bolivia and Chile. Oh, and Panama! Maybe I’ll see you there!?
Hacker Paradise
Like Remote Year, Hacker Paradise organises travel programs. But Hacker’s packages typically appeal to pre-existing digital nomads or those looking to focus on personal projects.
A trip with Hacker Paradise could range between two weeks to three months, with the groups accommodating up to thirty people.
Personally, I’ve found their prices to be a little steep. But, often, the community that these digital nomad companies provide is just invaluable.
Work Wanderers
Work Wanderers is another fantastic company that builds communities of digital nomads who travel the world together. There are one or two-month programs that explore places such as Bali, Cape Town and Tbilisi in Georgia.
Matador
There’s been such a burst of excitingly innovative products showing up on the market which are specifically designed for the new generation of working full-time travellers. Matador is the dark horse. They offer a great selection of lightweight and packable solutions.
To be specific, I’d recommend that you check out their collection of FlatPak™ Toiletry Products. They are TSA approved which allow travellers to easily transport their liquids, gels and pastes through the security restrictions without any issues.
Would you like to know more space-saving secrets? Head over to this list of Ultralight Packing Secrets for Digital Nomads.
Croissant
Get Croissant is a subscription app for co-working offices around the world. Digital nomads can sign up to try new locations, or re-visit their favourites on the road.
This app is great for finding spaces to work from, as soon as, or even before you’ve even stepped foot in your next destination.
Transferwise
So, you’ve just landed yourself a client but they pay in Dollars, as opposed to Euros… Or, you are worried about the cash machine fees whilst you are overseas…
Transferwise is the most efficient way to transfer money from currency to currency. They’ve also simplified the process, and fees, of cash withdrawals in any foreign country.
I honestly couldn’t live without them!
UpWork
The great majority of digital nomads have at least something to say about UpWork; whether it’s a success story or a disliking to their failed attempt to use the service.
Luckily, the relationship between Upwork and I, is one of joy. The website has helped to connect my services with many clients who required a reliable graphic designer. Although the site is not limited to designers… You’ll find job positions for developers, translators, illustrators, animators, copywriters, virtual assistants, social media managers… In fact, if you have any skills that can be transferred digitally, then be sure to check out Upwork.
If you are looking for other ways to fund your travels, then check out this guide on How to Make Money Online.
CoWork Surf
Surfer, or not… CoWork Surf has set up places to co-live and co-work in some incredibly idyllic surf spots, such as Canggu and Portugal.
You can expect a villa owned by CoWork Surf to feel extra welcoming and ready to support both your hours of work and downtime socialising. What’s a bonus; is that the crew at CoWork Surf are a great bunch too!
ALSO: How to Start Working Remotely
Digital Nomad Girls
Digital Nomad Girls is a kick-ass community founded by an experienced digital nomad. Members include many location-independent women from various backgrounds who have or are, travelling around the world.
This Facebook group (and website) is a great resource. It’s packed with daily events, travel advice, job opportunities, potential collaborators or travel buddies! You can confide in these ladies, laugh, learn or meet up with them.
Go ahead – they are a really welcoming tribe and a great digital nomad company for newbies looking to tap into an online community.
Outpost
Outpost is another fantastic franchise of co-living spaces. They specialise in accommodation located in the United States, and more specifically, New York and San Francisco.
Read How to Live as a Digital Nomad in NYC if you’d like to learn about the Williamsburg Outpost House in New York City.
Nomad Train
Now we are getting creative!… How about joining a co-working experience that takes you, a group of fellow digital nomads, along the longest railroad in the world?
Nomad Train coordinates group trips for remote workers to ride the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia. This is definitely a company to check out for those adventurous few!
SEE: Best Camera Gear & Travel Essentials for Digital Nomads
Nomad List
NomadList is every digital nomad’s bible. It helps us to find the best place to work remotely, anywhere in the world.
Not only that, the site visually informs users of a city’s average internet speed, temperature, feeling of safety, freedom of speech, the level of friendliness shown to foreigners and much more.
Such a great resource, right?! If you’d like to know all the websites that the typical digital nomad can’t live without, then check out these websites for digital nomad noobs.
Outsite
Outsite (not to be confused with Outpost) provides nothing short of sophisticated and work-friendly coliving spaces that ooze an open sense of community. Their spaces are designed for remote workers to ‘live comfortably, be productive, and forge meaningful connections‘. Take your pick from many destinations, such as Switzerland, Costa Rica, Portugal and Chile.
These guys offer a membership that allows applicants to become part of their global network of remote workers. Members gain access to a private Slack channel. There, nomads will come across job listings, offers of collaborations, business opportunities and travel advice.
Are you interested in finding a co-living space that suits your needs? I’ve composed a list of 27 Coliving Spaces that Digital Nomads Should Know About.
Ready to become a digital nomad?
The most daunting thought of becoming a digital nomad can be the dread of starting alone. It’ll take only a few months (if that), to realise that we are far from alone… I actually feel better connected to a lot of my nomadic friends, even though we are constantly moving with, or without each other.
Bearing this in mind, I thoroughly recommend that you begin your journey with a group travel experience like WifiTribe or WorkWanderers. If you want to allow yourself the best start on your new venture, then start by being surrounded by people who are on a similar journey.
If you surround yourself with digital nomads; you are bound to become a digital nomad.
Want to hear more about the keyboard gangster behind these blogs? Read about my journey as a digital nomad.
Let’s Go!
@katie.maree
13 comments
Oh my there are so many possibilities, I had no clue! Thanks for this informative post, I´m definitely looking into it as I am right now without a 9-5 job and was supposed to be travelling the world. Hopefully contninue to do so once the borders reopen 🙂
What an awesome list 🙂 I also work with Matador 🙂
WHAT!? That’s amazing! I actually adore them. What do you do there?
Great read! My husband and I were suppose to travel for a year, but we got burnt out! Travelling full-time is not for us!
I’ve always wanted to know how you can become a successful digital nomad and this is a great post, thank you! Bookmarked it to refer back to for when we can travel again.
What a list, so useful when you’re first starting out!
This is so informative! I hadn’t heard of…any of these ever, haha. Will have to look up more on each! I miss traveling so much.
This is so cool!! I absolutely love the surf one and the Siberian train journey. I’ve just started my profile on Upwork as a writer, virtual assistant and/or social media marketing. I’m curious to see if it’s going to work. 🙂
Ah good luck! It will – have faith! It will just take time.
Please give me a shout on Instagram if you need advice.
Wow! I had no idea there were so many resources for digital nomads! Thank you for the post!
Wow! I had no idea there were so many resources for digital nomads, I will be sure to check these out!