# Capterra's 2024 Tech Trends Report: Software Purchase Regret | Capterra > 60% of software buyers regret a purchase they’ve made in the past 12 to 18 months. Our e-book dives into why regret levels are so high and how you can avoid it. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/tech-trends-software-purchase-regret --- # Capterra's 2024 Tech Trends Report: An In-Depth Look at Software Purchase Regret By Brian Westfall Brian Westfall HR Technology Expert Experience I worked at Capterra for over a decade, becoming a trusted thought leader on all aspects of the HR technology market. I have... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bwestfall/) Published October 26, 2023 2 min read ## Most businesses say they regret a recent software purchase. Our e-book dives into why regret levels are so high and how you can avoid it yourself. With technology being critical to the stability and growth of today’s businesses, it’s important that businesses are able to find, evaluate, and purchase the right tech for their needs every single time. But according to Capterra’s 2024 Tech Trends Survey[\*](#methodology), which collected responses from nearly 3,500 businesses around the world, not only do businesses make software purchase decisions they end up regretting every now and then—they do so more often than not. **It’s true: 60% of software buyers regret a purchase they’ve made in the past 12 to 18 months.** And the problems start at the very beginning with their initial list of options. Almost all buyers (96%) start their software search with an initial list of software vendors in mind. 89% go on to buy off this list “almost always” or “most of the time,” of which 62% go on to regret their purchase decision. If you want to avoid regret on your next software purchase, Capterra’s 2024 Software Purchase Regret Report is a must-read. In this downloadable e-book, we analyze the results from our survey to understand which businesses make regretful software purchases most often, and the lasting effects it can have on an organization. We go on to explain not only how resources like the Capterra Shortlist™ can give you a better initial list of software options quickly, but also how simple changes to the makeup of your purchasing team and how you evaluate software options can dramatically reduce your likelihood of a regretful purchase. **Capterra’s 2024 SMB Tech Trends Annual State of Software Adoption Reports** capture global trends across industries and reveal how small to midsize business leaders are adopting technologies to embrace change, optimize efficiency, and accelerate growth. Our reports are designed to support decision-makers with the insights they need to embrace the right technology and services. - [2024 U.S. Tech Trends Report: 58% of Businesses Regret a Recent Software Purchase](https://www.capterra.com/resources/us-tech-trends/) - [Capterra’s 2024 Tech Trends Report: Insights From Marketers To Watch](https://www.capterra.com/resources/technology-trends-among-marketing-professionals/) - [Capterra’s 2024 Tech Trends Report: How Retailers Can Avoid Regrettable Software Purchases](https://www.capterra.com/resources/retail-trends/) - [Capterra's 2024 Tech Trends Report: Manufacturers Are Increasing Tech Spend, But Selection Process is Complex](https://www.capterra.com/resources/state-of-manufacturing-software-adoption-report-manufacturers-are-increasing-tech-spend/) - [Capterra's 2024 Tech Trends Report: Software Selection Best Practices for Financial Firms](https://www.capterra.com/resources/accounting-trends/) * * * **Methodology** \*Capterra’s 2024 Tech Trends Survey was designed to understand the timeline, organizational challenges, adoption & budget, vendor research behaviors, ROI expectations, satisfaction levels for software buyers, and how they relate to buyer’s remorse. The survey was conducted online in July 2023 among 3,484 respondents from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, France, India, Germany, Brazil, and Japan, with businesses across multiple industries and company sizes (5 or more employees). Respondents were screened to ensure their involvement in software purchasing decisions. * * * ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Brian Westfall](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bwestfall/) Brian Westfall worked at Capterra for over a decade, becoming a trusted thought leader on all aspects of the HR technology market. He has a passion for helping organizations create great workplaces by leveraging his keen attention to detail and ability to present information engagingly. 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