Hybrid vs Remote Work

Hybrid work means you split your time between working at an office and working from home. Remote work means you work entirely outside of a traditional office—usually from home, a coworking space, another country or anywhere with Wi-Fi.

I’ve tried both, and they each have their perks. But if you’re trying to figure out which one actually gives you more freedom, flexibility, and balance, this breakdown will help.

Key Differences Of Hybrid & Remote Work

Feature	Hybrid Job	Remote Job
Work Location	Mix of office + home	Fully remote (no office required)
Commute	Required a few days a week	No commuting
Schedule Flexibility	Some freedom, but office hours apply	High flexibility, often self-managed
Tech Setup	Office + home setup needed	Home or travel setup only
Social Interaction	In-person team time available	Mostly virtual collaboration
Location Freedom	Must live near the office	Can live anywhere (sometimes worldwide)

My Experience with Hybrid Work (And Why It Was Actually Pretty Sweet)

I’ve worked in both setups, but during COVID, I had a hybrid job at a digital marketing and SEO agency called Flinnwest Solutions in White Rock, British Columbia. It was a strange time in the world, but honestly? That setup worked really well for me.

A few days a week, I’d hop in the car, enjoy a nice drive out of the city, and work from this super cool, well-designed office. It was a nice break from being stuck in my apartment 24/7. I got some fresh air, changed up my environment, and still had the freedom to work from home the rest of the week. At the time, it felt like the best of both worlds.

Why Hybrid Work Is Good, But Not That Good

Here’s the thing though—hybrid work still ties you to one location.

Even if you only need to go in a couple of times per week, you still have to live nearby. Your schedule still revolves around someone else’s clock. It’s better than reporting to a cubicle five days a week, no doubt—but it’s not true freedom.

I realized that I didn’t want my life to revolve around office days. I wanted the opposite: build a lifestyle I loved, and let work fit around that.

What is a Remote Job?

A remote job is exactly what it sounds like—you work from anywhere that has an internet connection. That could be your apartment, a café in Ecuador, or a coworking space across the world. You’re not tied to a physical office, and most of your team interaction happens online.

It opens up way more opportunities for flexibility, especially if you like to travel, live affordably, or just want to work in your own space. That said, you’ve got to be self-motivated and okay with solo time.

Pros and Cons of Remote Work

Remote Work Advantages

• Zero commute = more time for yourself
• Flexibility to work from anywhere
• Better balance between life and work
• Set up your own workspace
• Opens up job opportunities across countries

Remote Work Challenges

• Can feel isolating or lonely
• You’ve got to be disciplined with time
• Team collaboration takes more effort
• Home office setup is all on you
• Sometimes hard to “shut off” after hours

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Work

Hybrid Work Benefits

• Social interaction without full-time office life
• Easier collaboration when needed
• Breaks up the week with a change of scenery
• Some structure without being too rigid
• Better for people who don’t like being fully remote

Hybrid Work Drawbacks

• Still requires commuting (just less of it)
• You need to live close to the office
• Office days might not match your best productivity times
• Feels like you’re halfway in, halfway out
• Less flexibility compared to fully remote roles

What Do the Numbers Say?

I can talk about remote and hybrid work all day, but sometimes it’s good to zoom out and look at what everyone else is doing too.

According to a 2025 Gallup report, preferences are shifting more than ever — and flexibility is winning. Here’s the breakdown:

• Around 60% of remote-capable employees say they prefer a hybrid work model. That means most people still want some time in the office, but not every day. It’s a balance: team connection without losing your personal space.
• About 30% of people would rather work fully remotely. No commute, no office politics, and complete freedom over your workspace and schedule.
• Less than 10% say they want to be fully in-office, five days a week. That traditional model? It’s quickly becoming the exception, not the norm.

📊 Source: Gallup – Hybrid Work Indicator (2025)

These numbers tell a pretty clear story: the majority of workers don’t want to be stuck in an office full-time, and many are leaning into remote or hybrid setups that give them more control over their time.

From what I’ve seen and experienced, this shift isn’t just a trend—it’s the new normal. People want to work smarter, not harder, and they’re choosing jobs that respect their lifestyle.

Hybrid vs Remote Productivity: What’s the Verdict?

Some people say remote workers are less productive. Honestly? I’ve found the opposite to be true—when you have a good setup, remote work can be even more productive than hybrid or in-office.

Without office distractions, you can lock in and get deep work done. But productivity really comes down to your personality, your job type, and your environment. Some folks thrive in an office buzz, others (like me) do their best work in peace and quiet.

What’s Best for You? (And How I Found My Fit)

At first, hybrid felt like the perfect balance. And for a while, it was. But over time, I wanted more freedom. I didn’t want to stay in one city just because I needed to go into an office a couple days a week.

Now, I work remotely full-time—and I built this blog from that choice. Bucket List Bro wouldn’t exist if I was still on that hybrid schedule.

Remote work lets me travel, explore new places, and still crush my to-do list. I don’t think it’s for everyone, but if you’re chasing freedom like I was, it might just be the move.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Work Is Choice

There’s no one-size-fits-all anymore—and that’s a good thing.

Some people want the routine of an office. Others want total flexibility. The best part? You can try both and see what fits. Hybrid jobs are a great stepping stone if you’re not quite ready to go fully remote. But once you get a taste of that freedom… you might not look back.