97% of businesses have lost revenue because payment integrations were slow or complex, Payroc research finds

• A survey of 750 founders, CTOs, product leaders, and developers at software companies across the US, UK, and Canada found that 73% had delayed or decided against adding a payment capability because integration was too costly or complex.
• Eighty percent (80%) agreed that the cost and complexity of switching payment providers made their organization less likely to move, even when unhappy with its current provider.
• Ninety-six percent (96%) of software providers said AI had already helped their organization to make payment integration faster, easier or more cost-effective.

TINLEY PARK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Almost all software providers (97%) say slow or complex payment integrations have cost them revenue, according to new research commissioned by Payroc, a global payment-processing acquirer and technology platform. The survey of 750 senior leaders and developers at independent software vendors (ISVs) across the US, UK and Canada also found that 73% had delayed or decided against adding a payment capability because integration was too costly or complex.

While 97% said their current payment provider meets their needs well, 80% said the cost and complexity of switching would make them less likely to move, even if they were unhappy.

AI is already changing how software providers approach payment integrations, with 96% of software providers saying that it has already helped their organization make integration faster, easier and more cost-effective. Three-quarters (75%) said their organization would be ready to adopt AI-powered or agentic payment integrations within seven to eleven months, and 48% expect these integrations to become standard within 1-2 years.

Enthusiasm for AI has not removed concerns about bringing it into payment workflows. Security was the most frequently cited barrier to adopting AI-powered or agentic payment integrations (43%), followed by the cost of adoption (38%) and organizational risk (36%). For adoption to scale, payment providers will need to show that faster integration does not come at the expense of security, traceability or accountability.

“Most software companies aren't unhappy with their payment provider, but they are paying for integration in ways that rarely show up on a balance sheet: launches that slip, features that never get built, markets they don't enter. AI is starting to change that, and Payroc for Developers is built so teams can integrate payments in minutes rather than months, ” said Paul Vienneau, Payroc’s Chief Technology Officer.

Earlier this month, Payroc launched Payroc for Developers, an AI-native platform created to help software companies, independent software vendors (ISVs), and development teams build, launch, and scale integrated payments with speed, agility, and ease. Payroc for Developers gives software companies an agentic integrations platform and AI-native developer experience to launch integrated payments in quickly minutes, not months, with the flexibility to choose the path that works for their team, backed by the support and monetization of a true payments partner.

About Payroc
Founded in 2003, Payroc WorldAccess, LLC, is a global payments ecosystem that helps businesses accept payments and optimize commerce. Payroc ranks among the top merchant acquirers in North America, processing more than $125 billion in card volume annually and operating across 47 regions with direct connections to the major card networks. Its proprietary full-stack technology supports vertically tailored card-present, card-not-present, and omnichannel solutions for software providers, financial institutions, and merchants of all sizes. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and award-winning support, Payroc makes payments seamless and drives growth for partners worldwide. For more information, visit payroc.com.

About Censuswide
Censuswide is a consultancy that specialises in quantitative and qualitative market research for PR, marketing and insight purposes. We are focused on delivering quick and robust data with emphasis on quality and accuracy. We pride ourselves on our consultancy, from the initial quote, throughout the entire process and beyond delivery of the reports. Whether the focus is reaching general consumers or niche B2B audiences internationally – we can assist you.

About the research
The research was conducted by Censuswide among 750 senior professionals aged 25 and over working at independent software vendors (ISVs) and software providers. Respondents included founders, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Product Officers, Chief Revenue Officers, technical leads, software engineers, developers and integration engineers. The survey included 250 respondents in each of the US, UK and Canada, and was conducted between September 2nd and 11th, 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and the British Polling Council and is a signatory to the Global Data Quality Pledge.