Seek vs Rubberdesk

Seek vs Rubberdesk: An Honest Comparison

Choosing the right platform matters. Here's how we stack up — honestly.

"AI matches you in 20 seconds. An operator pitches you in 20 minutes. Different things."
Side by side

How Seek compares to Rubberdesk

Seek Rubberdesk
Coverage 15,000+ spaces globally UK only
Tenant fees None — ever None to tenant (but broker earns 10% of deal)
Broker commission £0 — operators pay flat subscription 10% of annual rent — broker commission on closed deals
Direct-to-operator Yes — every enquiry goes direct No — routed via broker team
Reverse marketplace Broadcast — operators pitch you No — you search, they match
Spaces available 15,000+ globally 7,500 UK offices
Time to shortlist 60-sec quiz → operator proposals within hours 20-second match + 1–3 days for viewings via broker
Being honest

Where Rubberdesk has an edge

We're not going to pretend they're not good at some things. They are.

AI matching speed

Rubberdesk's algorithm surfaces options in under 20 seconds. Good if you have clear criteria and want a quick starting point.

Large UK database

7,500 offices across the UK, covering significant square footage. Solid breadth for domestic searches.

Familiar search UX

Standard filter-and-browse interface — similar to consumer property portals. Comfortable if you've used Rightmove or Zoopla.

The Seek difference

Where Seek fits differently

These aren't arguments. They're structural differences you can verify yourself.

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Global inventory

Seek lists 15,000+ buildings globally. Rubberdesk covers the UK. Different scales.

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Direct to operator — no broker layer

Rubberdesk's AI finds options fast. But when you want to view or negotiate, you go through their broker team, who earn 10% on your deal. Seek removes that layer entirely.

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Operators come to you

Rubberdesk's model: you search and filter. Seek's Broadcast: you submit your brief once, operators whose spaces match pitch you. No chasing listings.

What 10% looks like

The real cost of broker commission

Broker fees are typically 10% of the annual rent — sometimes 15%. The figures below show what that actually means on a lease. Seek charges operators a flat monthly subscription. There's nothing equivalent.

£30K / year lease
£3,000
to the broker on a 1-year deal
£50K / year lease
£5,000
to the broker on a 1-year deal
£100K / year lease
£10,000
to the broker on a 1-year deal
£100K / year · 5-year deal
£50K
typical commercial brokerage fee
£200K / year · 5-year deal
£100K
at 10%; higher if tiered
Seek — same leases
£0
operators pay flat subscription, not commission

See what your office should cost

60 seconds. Tell us your team size, location, and move-in date. Operators whose spaces match will pitch you directly — no broker, no commission.

Take the quiz →

No account creation required.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How does Rubberdesk make money?
Rubberdesk earns broker commission from operators when deals close — typically 10% of annual rent. That cost is reflected in the pricing. Their AI is the discovery layer; the broker team handles everything after that.
Rubberdesk matches in 20 seconds. Is Seek slower?
Seek's quiz takes 60 seconds. The difference is what happens next: with Rubberdesk, the match starts a broker relationship. With Seek, the match starts a direct conversation with the operator — no intermediary, no commission.
Does Rubberdesk charge tenants directly?
Not explicitly. But their revenue comes from broker commission on closed deals. That's 10% of your annual rent — paid indirectly through the operator's pricing, not as a line-item fee. The cost is real either way.
What does 10% commission actually cost on a lease?
A £30,000/year lease: £3,000 to the broker. £50,000/year: £5,000. £100,000/year: £10,000. £500,000 over five years: £50,000–£75,000. The numbers are worth knowing before you sign.
Does Rubberdesk work internationally?
Rubberdesk focuses on the UK. Seek covers 15,000+ buildings globally. If your search spans multiple countries, Seek gives you one platform for all of it.