# 5 Habits of Successful Software Adopters: 2026 Software Buying Trends | Capterra > Discover how smart software buyers avoid implementation disruptions. Download the Capterra 2026 Software Buying Trends Report for planning insights. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/software-buying-trends-2026 --- # Capterra 2026 Software Buying Trends Report: The 5 Habits of Successful Software Adopters Written by: Molly Burke Molly BurkeAuthor Senior Specialist Analyst Experience I have been writing content for Capterra since April 2022. I cover technology trends in retail, hospitality, and custome... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mburke/) and edited by: Caroline Rousseau Caroline RousseauEditor Senior Content Editor Experience As a senior content editor, and formerly as a content analyst, at Capterra, I have been crafting, writing, and refining rese... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/) Published October 7, 2025 2 min read ## Software buying is more complex than ever. Our exclusive report reveals how successful software buyers avoid implementation disruptions and purchase regret, and how you can follow their lead. Download the Capterra 2026 Software Buying Trends eBook [](#signup) **Successful software adopters follow patterns that consistently lead to better software investments.**  The outlook for 2026 shows that software buying is increasingly complex and costly, especially for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Aggressive return on investment (ROI) expectations, economic uncertainty, and pressure to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) are driving software investment priorities, while security concerns pose internal obstacles to new investments. The stakes are high: The right software can boost output, reduce manual work, and help achieve business goals, but the wrong choice can cause downtime, cybersecurity issues, and budget overruns. The Capterra 2026 Software Buying Trends Report[\*](#methodology) is based on survey data from more than 3,300 global software buyers. According to the results, many businesses struggle to make the right software investment decisions. Two-thirds of today’s software buyers experience disruptions during implementation, purchase regret, or both.  The remaining third comprises a group of successful software adopters who consistently follow five key habits that prevent disruptions and regret. This report explores those habits and reveals how leaning on expert insights in the product research phase, planning for implementation, and acting decisively throughout the buyer journey help businesses avoid common pitfalls and make decisions that deliver lasting value. This free, downloadable e-book breaks down what successful software adopters do differently, from building vendor shortlists to negotiating contracts and planning for implementation. Key insights - **Software purchases often miss the mark:** Only one in three software buyers is a successful software adopter. - **Purchase regret is nearly always preceded by disruption:** 89% of software buyers who regret their purchase experienced implementation disruptions. - **Expert sources outperform AI tools for research:** Successful software adopters look to industry advice and product reviews over generative AI for product research. - **Decisive action leads to better outcomes:** Successful adopters typically choose software within three months, with longer timelines linked to dissatisfaction. - **Planning prevents setbacks:** Over half of successful software adopters create an implementation plan for a smoother rollout, which reduces the risk of disruption. **Download the Capterra 2026 Software Buying Trends e-book below and discover how successful software adopters make smarter purchasing decisions.** ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Authors [### Molly Burke](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mburke/) Molly Burke is a senior analyst and writer for Capterra. She covers customer experience and marketing in the retail and restaurant industries, with a focus on how emerging technology is transforming the way everyday people shop. Her insights on generative AI, social media, and other tech trends have been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, BBC, CNBC, Forbes, and the Financial Times, among other publications. [### Caroline Rousseau](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/) After three years of building surveys, analyzing data, and writing her own research, Caroline has been a senior content editor since 2022. Her previous experience as an analyst converged into a skill set that allows her to help her peers develop and produce compelling content about today’s business matters. ### RELATED READING - [Help Desk Software for IT Support: Features and Benefits 1,300+ Users Value](https://www.capterra.com/resources/it-help-desk-software-features-benefits/) - [AI in Talent Management Software: The Bridge Between Recruiting and Retention](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-talent-management-software/) - [Switching Accounting Software: Common Risks to Avoid in 2026](https://www.capterra.com/resources/switching-accounting-software-problems-risks/) - [Why Projects Fail, and What Actually Helps Teams Fix Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/4-steps-to-completely-recover-from-project-failure/) - [Checklist for SMBs: How to Choose the Right Customer Service Help Desk Software for Your Business Size](https://www.capterra.com/resources/choosing-customer-support-help-desk-software/) - [E‑Filing Taxes as a Small Business: Where Software Adds Value and When It’s Necessary](https://www.capterra.com/resources/efile-tax-software-small-business-guidelines/) - [How To Choose a Manufacturing Software With Confidence: Insights From Real Buyers](https://www.capterra.com/resources/manufacturing-software-buyer-insights-report/) - [What is CRM Software and What Does a CRM System Do?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-crm-software/) - [Payroll Software vs. HR Software: What’s the Difference](https://www.capterra.com/resources/payroll-vs-hr-software-difference/)