Software companies increasingly view payments as a core platform capability, not just a feature. Yet despite strong intent to modernize, most remain locked into complex, multi‑provider environments.
According to new survey data from TSG and Adyen, 98% of software companies say they would consider switching payment providers, but only about one in four have actually done so in the past two years.
The reason is not a lack of motivation. It’s friction.
More than half of respondents cited integration complexity, compliance requirements, and operational disruption as the primary barriers preventing change. At the same time, software companies reported working with an average of nearly five payment providers, even as a strong majority said consolidation is a strategic priority.
This disconnect has created what many platform leaders now experience as an integration paradox: teams pursue hybrid and multi‑provider strategies to gain reach and resilience, yet integration complexity remains their most significant operational pain point.
The research also identified a distinct segment of platform aspirants: software companies aiming to become the primary financial system for their customers. These companies are more global in ambition, more focused on capabilities like issuing, payouts, and marketplaces, and more willing to invest in deeper integration.
Notably, platform aspirants were 17% more likely to consider Adyen as a payments partner, reflecting a preference for unified infrastructure that supports consolidation without sacrificing control.
The findings suggest that payments modernization is no longer about incremental optimization. For software companies treating payments as a strategic asset, the ability to simplify infrastructure while enabling growth has become the real differentiator.
About the Research
TSG and Adyen surveyed 76 North American-transacting software companies between February 10, 2026, and February 20th, 2026, to uncover their current pain points, motivations, goals, and aspirations regarding their payment infrastructure and vendors. All respondents were full-time employees, manager level and above, were knowledgeable about payments technology and influencing decisions around payments technology, and represented software companies that currently serve the financial services and fintech verticals. The software companies each generated at least $10M in annual revenue, with 83% of respondents each generating over $100M in annual revenue.
Integrate. Enhance. Streamline.
- Do you view payments as core, strategic asset?
- Are you prioritizing control and integration over flexibility?
- Are you aspiring to be a comprehensive financial ecosystem?
TSG and Adyen bring payments to life – faster, smarter, and purpose-built for long-term platform success.
