As UK businesses prepare to increase software spending in 2026, a new report from Capterra reveals that many are still struggling to make the right tech choices. According to the 2026 Software Buying Trends Report, only 27% of UK software buyers were fully satisfied with their most recent purchase, with 52% experiencing regret, often due to unexpected implementation disruptions.

The report, based on responses from 299 UK software buyers, highlights the critical factors that separate successful adopters from disappointed ones. With 76% of UK firms planning to increase software spending in the next 12 months, the stakes for getting it right have never been higher.

Key Findings from the Report:

Disruption drives regret: A staggering 92% of UK buyers who regretted their software purchase experienced implementation issues—the highest rate globally.
Planning pays off: Successful adopters were more than 2x more likely to create a formal implementation plan, helping avoid delays, integration issues, and poor training.
User reviews matter: 54% of successful adopters relied on user reviews and comparison sites (43%), while disappointed buyers were far less likely to do so.
Faster decisions lead to better outcomes: Successful adopters typically completed their selection process in under three months, compared to longer timelines among regretful buyers.

Software Buying Behaviours in the UK

Goal-setting and planning: Successful software adopters in the UK were significantly more likely to define outcomes and requirements early in the buying process. They showed a 27 percentage point lead over disappointed buyers in having a clear idea of budget and feature needs.
Shortlist size and decision speed: Successful adopters in the UK listed fewer vendors on average (3.47) than disappointed buyers (4.25). 65% of successful adopters shortlisted three or fewer vendors, compared to just 37% of disappointed buyers. They also completed their selection process in under three months on average.
Implementation planning: Just over half of successful adopters created a formal implementation plan, while only 18% of disappointed buyers did the same.
Security considerations: Among successful adopters, 47% prioritised protection against breaches, 38% focused on security updates, and 33% considered vendor reputation for handling incidents.

"There is a real acceleration in software investment for businesses in the UK. However, getting a positive ROI requires strategic focus. Feedback from successful adopters in our study shows that understanding the goals the purchase will achieve in depth and the use of reliable information, such as hands-on feedback from existing users, can pay dividends in finding that solution, while saving on time and money spent in the process," says David Jani, UK Analyst at Capterra.

For more insights and actionable data, read the full 2026 Software Buying Trends Report here.

About Capterra

Capterra is the #1 B2B marketplace helping organisations find the right software. With over 2 million verified user reviews across 1,000+ categories, Capterra provides objective insights to guide smarter software decisions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251028227536/en/

Press Contact
Palash Bhattacharjee
palash.bhattacharjee@gartner.com

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