Explore software trends for finance services in 2025, with insights on researching the ideal vendors and avoiding common challenges.
Financial businesses are optimistic about their business growth in 2025 and will bet on technology to fuel their expansion. However, with the risk of purchase regret present, we analyze the latest software buying trends to help these make businesses invest smartly.
As finance and accounting firms address the challenges and opportunities of 2025, optimism about business growth runs high. Our recent Tech Trends survey shows that 27% of financial organizations anticipate accelerated revenue growth of 15% or more, while 63% expect increases between 5% and 15%.
However, as these businesses invest in technology like accounting tools to meet these ambitious goals, they face several challenges—ranging from security concerns to navigating the complexities of choosing the right software.
Capterra surveyed 401 professionals who work for businesses in the financial services industry Based on the results, this article will showcase the key trends shaping technology adoption for financial businesses and provide actionable insights to help organizations optimize their technology investments, minimize regret, and position themselves for long-term success.
Financial firms plan to increase their software spending in 2025: 77% of financial organizations will spend more on software in the upcoming year, with 20% expecting to spend over 15% more than in 2024.
Business intelligence, marketing, and governance risk compliance software are the tools finance firms are adopting most in this moment of growth: 62% of respondents say their company has adopted BI tools in the last 12 months, another 62% have adopted marketing tools, and 60%, GRC systems.
Security is the leading concern when buying software: Security concerns (39%), compatibility issues (36%), and data management (38%) are the three main obstacles to successful software adoption for finance firms.
Previous experience and reputation are key factors when shortlisting vendors: 49% of respondents cite prior experience with a vendor as their top factor when creating a software purchase list.
Financial firms should seek strong vendor support and engagement: Problematic vendor handoffs (49%) are a cause for regretful purchases. Meanwhile, 59% of respondents value vendor support as an influential factor when making a final purchase.
Purchase regret can lead to significant financial losses: As 57% of respondents cite that regrettable purchases have resulted in substantial or monumental financial repercussions, firms should be careful to align their software purchases with their business goals.
Growth in software investments reflects optimism in financial firms
A majority (77%) of surveyed organizations plan to increase software spending in 2025, with 20% increasing their budgets by over 15%. Surveyed businesses also have top priorities when it comes to their investments for the coming year including IT management software, IT security, and AI.

The inclusion of accounting and finance software as a priority aligns with the sector’s robust optimism. 90% of surveyed respondents anticipate steady or accelerated revenue growth over the next 18 months. With technology playing a central role in driving operational efficiency and gaining a competitive edge, the intent to increase software budgets is a natural extension of these ambitions.
Financial businesses are seeking BI tools, security, and customer service to complement their accounting stack
Over the last 12 months, organizations have widely adopted various software types, with 62% implementing business intelligence (BI) tools—the most frequently adopted software—followed by marketing (62%), and governance risk compliance (60%).
Business Intelligence tools can help financial organizations analyze large volumes of data, providing insights into market trends, customer behavior, and operational efficiency. By leveraging these insights, organizations can make informed decisions, optimize financial performance, and enhance strategic planning.
Marketing is crucial for financial companies as it helps build brand awareness, attract new clients, and foster customer loyalty. Meanwhile, governance risk compliance (GRC) is essential for ensuring that financial institutions adhere to regulatory requirements, manage risks effectively, and maintain operational integrity.
Accounting and finance software also remains a critical focus. While 41% of surveyed respondents already had accounting and finance software before last year, 56% adopted these tools in the last 12 months for temporary, permanent, or indeterminate use.
Financial organizations adopting accounting and finance tools should:
Carefully evaluate product features to ensure they meet current and future needs.
Ensure you have a strong integration strategy in place, especially if your business is adopting multiple software solutions.
Test software functionality through product trials or demos to assess its ability to handle complex tasks.
Set realistic ROI expectations and ensure internal processes are in place to measure success.
Security and compatibility are key challenges facing finance businesses in technology adoption
Despite increased investment, the path to adopting technology for financial businesses is not without hurdles. Key challenges cited when planning investments in new software include:
Security concerns (39%): Financial businesses face the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks when adopting new software. To mitigate this, they can implement robust cybersecurity measures, conduct regular security audits, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Data management (38%): Effectively managing large volumes of data can be challenging, especially with new software. Businesses can address this by investing in scalable data management solutions, employing data governance frameworks, and training staff on best practices for data handling.
Compatibility with existing systems (36%): Integrating new software with legacy systems can be complex and costly. Solutions include conducting a thorough systems compatibility assessment, opting for software with strong integration capabilities, and planning phased implementation to minimize disruptions.
Identifying the right technology or product (35%): Choosing the appropriate software from numerous options can be daunting. Notably, 39% of business decision-makers expect difficulty in selecting the appropriate technologies in 2025. To overcome this, financial organizations can perform detailed needs assessments, engage with technology consultants, and pilot potential solutions before full-scale deployment.
Before making a purchase, businesses should:
Conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the total cost of ownership (including hidden costs).
Clarify goals and desired outcomes among stakeholders to ensure alignment on evaluation criteria.
Consider future scalability to avoid outgrowing the software within a few years.
Businesses base their short vendor lists with reputable and known vendors. Are buyers doing enough research?
There is a process to choosing new software, even before trying the demos and speaking to sales representatives. Most buyers tend to begin with an informal list of potential vendors they want to explore further. When compiling an initial list of software vendors, financial businesses typically start with a narrow list of candidates: 36% of organizations include only 1-3 vendors, and 78% stick to 1-5.
When compiling their list, prior experience with a vendor (49%), vendor reputation (48%), contact at vendor shows (35%), and peer recommendations (31%) dominate initial vendor selection factors.

Additionally, when conducting formal research to develop a shortlist, 38% of buyers rely on product reviews and comparison websites, and another 38% on rankings and lists of top software providers. and 38% listen to recommendations from professional associations or industry experts. Interestingly, 32% of buyers use generative AI to inform their decision-making process.
While generative AI tools provide quick, synthesized insights, they may not fully address the nuanced needs of accounting and finance teams, particularly when assessing issues like scalability, support quality, and specific integrations. Other important issues like real-time data, or specialized expertise may also be unavailable with these tools.
To avoid narrowing options prematurely:
Broaden your vendor list to include both established providers and emerging innovators.
Rely on diverse research sources, such as independent reviews, case studies, and hands-on trials.
Use AI cautiously, supplementing its insights with deeper research and expert consultations.
Firms should value the importance of vendor support and engagement
When the time comes for businesses to buy their software, vendor engagement plays a pivotal role in the final purchasing decision. Nearly three in five (59%) buyers engage with only 1-2 vendors on their final shortlist, so it really is a case of quality over quantity. Our respondents reveal that the most influential factors when making a final purchase are vendor support (59%) and product trials (59%).
Even though product trials can help businesses decide if their software is worth buying, it is imperative to also evaluate vendor relationships post-purchase to prevent turning a promising product into a frustrating and costly investment. When organizations regret purchases, respondents frequently cite problematic vendor handoffs (49%) and unmet expectations (39%).
Organizations should thoroughly vet vendors by:
Assessing their responsiveness and support capabilities during the research phase.
Prioritizing vendors with strong post-sale support, such as training and regular updates.
Engaging directly with current customers to gain real-world insights into vendor performance.
Amid significant financial repercussions of software regret, financial firms should align their business goals with their investments
Alarmingly, 70% of respondents regret at least one software purchase made in the past 18 months, underscoring the importance for organizations to follow these tips to prevent purchase dissatisfaction. Additionally, 42% of respondents experience purchase regret with accounting and finance tools.
Of all the respondents who regretted at least one software purchase, 57% indicate that these regrettable decisions have resulted in substantial (50%) or even monumental (7%) financial repercussions.
This highlights the high stakes involved in technology investments and the potential long-term consequences of misaligned choices. Furthermore, this disconnect may suggest that many organizations rush into decisions without thorough evaluation or fail to align their software purchases with business needs.
Financial businesses that regret a recent software purchase report that the most common product-related causes of dissatisfaction are related to the technology being too basic for their needs (35%), the failure to deliver ROI (32%), or the software being more expensive than expected (32%).

With such a high number of buyers regretting recent software purchases, this can indicate that many companies fail to align their technology investments with clear objectives. A lack of alignment often leads to underutilized tools, delayed implementations, and unmet ROI expectations.
To combat buyer’s regret, organizations should adopt a goal-driven approach:
Define clear business objectives before initiating the buying process.
Develop evaluation criteria that include essential features, scalability, and integration needs.
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure the software addresses the needs of multiple departments.
Establish KPIs to measure software performance and ROI post-implementation.
Thorough, long-term, and measurable planning can determine successful investments for financial firms
The accounting and finance sector stands at a pivotal moment, with increasing investments in fintech tools poised to transform operations and drive growth. However, to capitalize on these opportunities, organizations must take a strategic approach to software selection.
By aligning technology investments with long-term goals, conducting rigorous research, and prioritizing vendor reliability, businesses can reduce regret and maximize ROI. Throughout 2025, thoughtful planning will be the key to leveraging fintech and other technologies for sustainable success.
However, software regrets are rooted in the planning stage and can be costly for businesses. Consequently, thoughtful, goal-driven approaches can prevent future mistakes. By clarifying goals early in the process and placing higher value on objective, third-party sources, financial firms can make smarter investments that deliver positive ROI. Tools such as BI software can help them harness data insights, while accounting tools and financial services software can help them streamline their operations.
By clarifying goals early in the process and placing higher value in objective, third-party sources, financial firms can make smarter investments that deliver positive ROI.
Regularly evaluate software performance, ensure proper training, and choose scalable solutions that can grow at the same rate as your business. As you evaluate tools to support your growth, consider the other software categories that have seen significant adoption in the finance sector, such as IT security, network security, and customer service solutions offering better ways to engage with your customers. By adopting the right tools for your long-term business plan, your investments can help your financial firm grow sustainably.