As you start to plan for 2026, our experts have gathered the latest insights on what’s in and what’s out for embedded payments and financial experiences for platforms. Whether you’re already embedding payments and financial services, or just starting to explore the possibilities, these trends will help ensure your software platform—and your users—are set up for success in the year ahead.
The software industry is evolving rapidly. Platforms are no longer acting as intermediaries; they are becoming the orchestrators of seamless, intelligent, and trusted financial experiences for their users. To help you navigate what’s next, we’ve distilled the most important shifts across embedded payments, embedded finance, payment partnerships, and fraud prevention.
Here’s what to prioritize and what to leave behind, as you build your roadmap for the coming year.
What’s in and what’s out for embedded payments
What’s in: Payments that feel effortless—and fuel engagement
Your users don’t want to think about payments—they want them to work, instantly and invisibly. The most successful platforms are making payments a seamless part of the workflow, whether that’s booking a service, buying a subscription, or settling an invoice.
- Invisible, contextual payments: Platforms are making financial services a natural extension of the user experience. For example, a field and trade services SaaS platform might let contractors pay for materials directly within the project dashboard, or a fitness app could enable one-tap class bookings with integrated payments.
- API-first customization: Leading software platforms leverage robust payment APIs to build tailored experiences for their users. APIs are the backbone of embedded finance—supporting local payment methods, flexible checkout, and rapid deployment.
- Omnichannel embedded payments: Whether your software users are on desktop, mobile, or even in-person, unified payment flows boost conversion and loyalty. Platforms that enable seamless transitions between channels will win more business.
To learn more about embedded payments for your platform, explore the complete guide to embedded payments.
What’s out: Legacy payment flows and rigid options
- Redirects and pop-ups: Users no longer tolerate being bounced to third-party sites or clunky pop-ups. Every extra click is a lost opportunity.
- One-size-fits-all payment options: Software platforms that don’t offer choice to their users—like a wide range of payment methods, digital wallets, or split payments—risk losing users to more agile competitors.
- Opaque pricing: Hidden fees and unclear costs erode customer trust. Transparent, usage-based pricing is becoming the industry norm.
What’s in and what’s out for embedded finance
What’s in: Personalized, automated, and platform-led financial services
Embedded finance is redefining what it means to be a business management platform today. It’s not just about payments anymore—it’s about offering banking, lending, insurance, and more, right where your users need these financial services.
- Personalized financial products: Platforms can leverage data to deliver tailored financial solutions. In a recent blog Why non-financial platforms are embracing embedded finance—and why it’s a game changer, we highlight how platforms can offer financing, insurance, or investment products to their userbase—all within their core workflows.
- On-demand credit and lending: AI-driven risk models enable platforms to offer real-time credit decisions—like buy-now-pay-later or working capital—at the moment of need.
- Automated compliance: Embedded Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-money laundering (AML), and regulatory checks make merchant onboarding and transacting frictionless, helping platforms scale without manual bottlenecks.
Ready to find out what all the buzz is about? Learn more about embedded finance.
What's out: Generic offers and manual processes
- Blanket financial products: Software users expect offers tailored to their business model, industry, and transaction history—not generic, one-size-fits-all solutions.
- Manual KYC/AML: Automated verification is now standard, improving conversion rates and reducing fraud risk.
- Siloed financial services: Linking out to third-party financial products disrupts the user journey. Native, embedded solutions keep users engaged and loyal.
What’s in and what’s out for payment providers
What’s in: Strategic collaboration and unified experiences
Payment providers are evolving alongside platforms, moving from “just payment processors” to strategic partners in growth.
- Deep platform partnerships: In a recent blog, The 5 financial solutions every software platform should offer users, the best providers co-innovate with platforms—delivering branded payment experiences, seamless payouts, and even financial products like merchant working capital loans, account management, and card issuing.
- Unified experience: Payment providers are helping software platforms unify online, mobile, and in-person payments, all managed from a single dashboard. This simplifies operations and delivers a consistent user experience.
- Data-driven insights: Platforms are tapping into payment data to understand user behavior, personalize offers, and optimize conversion—turning payments into a strategic growth lever.
Interested in an omnichannel approach to payments? Learn more here.
What’s out: Siloed gateways and complex fees
- Standalone, siloed payment gateways: These are being replaced by integrated solutions that handle payments, payouts, compliance, and reporting.
- Opaque, complex pricing: Transparent, easy-to-understand pricing builds trust and simplifies reconciliation.
What’s in and what’s out for fraud prevention
What’s in: AI, biometrics, and collective intelligence
As embedded payments and finance grow, so does the need for smarter fraud prevention. AI is now front and center, as described in a recent blog, AI is redefining the software platforms playbook.
- AI-powered risk management: Machine learning models detect and prevent fraud in real time, adapting to new threats instantly. Platforms can spot anomalies and intervene before losses occur.
- Behavioral biometrics: Platforms use signals like typing speed, navigation patterns, and device fingerprinting to verify users invisibly, reducing friction and false positives.
- Collaborative intelligence: Providers and platforms share anonymized threat data, building a collective shield against emerging fraud.
Want to stay ahead of fraud with a multi-layered approach? Explore fraud prevention solutions here.
What’s out: Static rules and manual reviews
- Rules-based fraud systems: These can’t keep up with dynamic threats—automated, adaptive models are now essential.
- Manual reviews: Automated decision-making improves both security and user experience, freeing up resources for growth.
The opportunity for software platforms in 2026
For software platforms, embedded finance is a chance to lead—not just follow. By embedding payments and financial solutions with a strategic partner, you can unlock new revenue streams, boost user engagement, and differentiate your product offering in a crowded market. The platforms winning in 2026 will:
- Make payments and finance invisible, contextual, and trusted.
- Harness APIs and AI to personalize, automate, and secure every interaction.
- Build deep partnerships to deliver unified, branded experiences.
- Leverage payments data to anticipate user needs and drive sustainable growth.
Ready to become the everything platform for your users? Dive into more educational resources or request a demo to discover what’s possible.