Digital payments have become part of everyday life, with consumers quickly adapting to a wide range of digital channels. With more services now offered on a subscription basis, companies need reliable systems for pricing, billing, and managing payments. Tap-to-pay is now the norm, financial institutions are experimenting with blockchain, and generative AI is beginning to support stronger fraud detection.

To better understand these dynamics, TechBehemoths conducted a global survey of 1,050 IT companies across 48 countries between May 30 and June 6. The survey focused on the internal structure of digital payment systems: how they are set up, what billing models are preferred, what technologies power them, and which pain points companies are still trying to resolve.

This survey offers a focused snapshot of the state of digital payments in 2025, grounded in first-hand industry data to help decision-makers evaluate their systems against global benchmarks.

Survey Respondents: Position Within the Company

TechBehemoths states that 62.3% of respondents in the survey are Founders or CEOs, placing the insights directly in the hands of those who lead and decide. Marketing Managers follow with 8.4%, while Directors make up 7.1%. Account Managers represent 5.8%, and Business Development or Sales roles cover 5.2%. Another 11% fall into other positions across the organization.

How many employees do digital payment services providers on Techbehemoths have?

According to TechBehemoths, most digital payment service providers in the survey operate in small teams. 40.8% work in companies with 2-9 employees - the largest segment by far. The rest are evenly split: 19.7% have 10-20 employees, 19.7% fall in the 20-50 range, and another 19.7% work in companies with more than 50 employees.

Do IT Companies Offer Digital or Recurring Payment Services?

Yes - according to TechBehemoths, 75.5% of IT companies already offer services related to digital or recurring payments. 15.4% do not provide such services at all, while 9.2% say they are not offering them yet but plan to do so within the next 12 months. Recurring payments are no longer a niche feature – they are becoming a standard expectation in IT service delivery. As more companies move toward automation, subscriptions, and global clients, the ability to support digital billing models is turning into a key capability.

Which of the following digital payment services do IT companies currently offer?

91.2% of IT companies that offer digital payment services focus on the integration of existing payment systems. This reflects a clear industry preference for solutions that work with platforms like Stripe, PayPal, or regional gateways. Meanwhile, 37.1% of companies are involved in the development of custom payment products, such as proprietary billing tools or digital wallets. A smaller segment - 13.2% offers other related services, such as integration and product development, rather than peripheral support.

How many of the IT Companies’ projects involve online payments?

The survey conducted by TechBehemoths reveals how frequently IT companies implement online payment features in their client projects. According to the findings, 33.1% of companies reported that between 25-50% of their projects include online payment integration, while 31.4% indicated a lower range of 0-25%. On the other end, 19.4% said that 50-75% of their projects involve such features, and only 16.0% confirmed online payments are part of 75-100% of their work. While many companies offer digital payment services, their use across projects varies widely depending on client needs and business models.

Which industries do IT companies’ clients typically serve in digital payments?

The TechBehemoths survey shows that most IT companies work with clients in E-commerce & Subscription Boxes (80.8%) and SaaS/Software Products (72.9%), industries that rely heavily on recurring or digital payments. Education & eLearning (53.7%), Financial Services (49.7%), and Health & Fitness (45.8%) also rank high.

AI-Enabled Products & Services are involved in 36.2% of cases, covering tools like chatbots, automation platforms, and recommendation systems, many now integrating payment systems. Less frequent clients come from Media & Streaming (22.0%), Gaming (11.3%), and Other Services (12.0%).

What Are the Primary Online Payment Channels for Clients?

The TechBehemoths survey shows that most IT companies work with clients in E-commerce & Subscription Boxes (80.8%) and SaaS/Software Products (72.9%), industries that rely heavily on recurring or digital payments. Education & e-learning (53.7%), Financial Services (49.7%), and Health & Fitness (45.8%) also rank high.

AI-Enabled Products & Services are involved in 36.2% of cases, covering tools like chatbots, automation platforms, and recommendation systems, many now integrating payment systems. Less frequent clients come from Media & Streaming (22.0%), Gaming (11.3%), and Other Services (12.0%).

Approximate Annual Sales Processed by Clients

The survey shows that IT companies serve a broad mix of clients when it comes to annual sales through digital payments. The largest group, 29.4%, processes over $1 million, likely mature businesses in sectors like e-commerce or SaaS. On the other end, 25.4% handle less than $25,000, often smaller firms or early-stage startups.

Only 7.5% fall into the $150K–$1M range, suggesting many clients either grow quickly or remain smaller. 18.6% process $25K–$150K, reflecting steady, mid-sized activity. Lastly, 19.2% didn’t disclose sales volumes.

Payment Models

Which payment models are most commonly used by IT companies' clients?

Fixed pricing models (monthly, quarterly, or annually) are by far the most common, selected by 84.1% of clients. This shows a strong preference for predictable, recurring payments.

Usage-based or pay-as-you-go models come next at 43.8%, followed closely by hybrid models (a mix of pricing strategies) at 40.9%. These options appeal to clients looking for flexibility or scalability.

Freemium models - offering a free base tier with paid upgrades are used by 33%, often for SaaS products. Meanwhile, custom/enterprise pricing is chosen by 28.4%, and per-user/per-seat pricing by 27.8%, both common in B2B software.

Tiered pricing strategies follow closely at 27.3%, while AI or compute-based usage pricing remains niche at 8%. Only 1.8% use other models, showing that most clients stick to proven pricing structures.

Top Growing Payment Model by Popularity

The fastest-growing payment model, according to the TechBehemoths survey, is freemium, used by 41.1% of IT companies’ clients. This model offers a free basic tier with paid upgrades and is especially popular among SaaS and digital product providers.

Close behind is fixed pricing (monthly, quarterly, or annually) at 38.9%, followed by usage-based/pay-as-you-go at 37.7%, both still appealing for their clarity and scalability.

More businesses are using hybrid pricing models, which combine different pricing strategies to meet various user needs. This method is becoming more popular, with 33.1% adoption. AI-based usage pricing is also growing quickly, now at 23.4%, showing that more people are using AI tools and platforms. In comparison, traditional models like per-user or per-seat pricing (18.3%), tiered pricing (16%), and custom or enterprise pricing (12.6%) are growing more slowly.

How do IT companies' clients typically handle payment processing?

The survey reveals that most IT companies’ clients prefer using payment gateways like Stripe, Razorpay, or Adyen, chosen by a dominant 92%. These platforms are widely trusted for their simplicity, security, and global coverage.

42% of clients use embedded solutions such as Shopify or Nuvei, especially popular among businesses that need integrated e-commerce capabilities. Tools like Chargebee or Zoho Subscriptions, grouped under subscription billing platforms, are used by 32.4%, followed closely by bank-based systems (31.8%) like ACH and SEPA for direct debit processing.

Around 30.1% combine multiple tools to manage payments, reflecting more complex or multi-regional setups. Meanwhile, 21% of clients opt for custom-built or in-house systems, often to meet specific technical or compliance requirements. Only 4.6% fall into the “other” category, showing most clients rely on well-established payment infrastructure.

Payment Processing Methods

Which payment platforms or gateways do IT companies most frequently integrate with?

The data shows that when it comes to integrating payment platforms, Stripe leads the way, used by 80.1% of IT companies. PayPal follows closely at 74.3%, remaining a widely trusted and recognizable option for global transactions.

Shopify Payments, which runs on Stripe infrastructure, comes next at 41.5%, showing its popularity among e-commerce-focused clients. Square and Klarna are each used by 17% of companies, while Braintree appears in 15.2% of integrations.

Less commonly, IT companies also work with HubSpot Payments and Mollie (both at 8.8%), BitPay (7.6%), Adyen (5.8%), and Helcim (2.3%). Another 7.4% of companies reported using various other platforms. Overall, Stripe and PayPal dominate, but a wide range of other tools is also being adopted based on client needs and regional focus.

Which payment methods do IT companies use in their projects?

When it comes to payment methods implemented in client projects, IT companies most frequently use credit and debit cards, with 89.8% integrating this option due to its global acceptance and user familiarity. Digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay, along with bank transfers/direct debit, are also widely used, each included in 68.8% of projects. These offer convenient and secure alternatives for both mobile-first and traditional users.

National digital payment networks (such as UPI in India or iDEAL in the Netherlands) are gaining ground, used in 29.5% of cases. Cryptocurrencies are supported by 20.5% of IT companies, showing some traction in niche or forward-looking sectors. Just 0.9% of respondents mentioned using other, less common methods, indicating that most implementations stick to mainstream, widely supported payment solutions.

Payment Methods & PSP Limitations

Have IT companies encountered limitations with PSPs when setting up billing processes?

The responses are quite evenly split. 29.2% of companies said they have encountered limitations with payment service providers when setting up billing. Another 29.2% reported no issues at all. The largest group, 41.5%, responded that they are not sure, which may indicate that the billing setup is either outsourced or not visible to all teams involved. This shows a possible gap in awareness or communication around PSP-related challenges during implementation.

What Are the Main Operational Challenges in Billing Setup?

The most common issue is poor handling of failed or declined payments, including retry logic, reported by 46.2% of companies. Another 43.2% face difficulties integrating with third-party payment service providers.

Syncing billing systems with internal tools like CRMs or analytics platforms is also a key concern for 36.1% of respondents. Generating accurate invoices, dealing with taxes, limited API support, and poor documentation all follow closely at 28.4%.

Lack of real-time reporting and limited visibility into billing errors or customer churn affect a significant portion as well, while 18.9% struggle with per-user or seat-based billing logic. Only 0.8% mentioned other challenges, showing that most issues fall within a clear set of recurring pain points.

What are the biggest operational challenges/limitations in setting up billing systems?

The top concern for IT companies is handling multiple currencies and geographies, selected by 60.9% of respondents. This reflects the complexity of billing in a global market where clients operate across regions.

Security and privacy compliance is another major challenge at 47.9%, covering frameworks like PCI-DSS, GDPR, and CCPA. An additional 38.5% also cited general compliance and data protection concerns.

Billing flexibility is also a pain point. 31.4% struggle with rigid billing cycles or pricing models, while 30.2% pointed to inadequate customer support from payment or billing platforms.

Only 1.2% of respondents reported other issues, suggesting most operational challenges fall into these key categories.

Wrapping Things Up

In 2025, digital payments are no longer just a feature — they are a core part of how IT companies build and deliver value to their clients. The growing diversity in payment models, the demand for seamless global transactions, and the increasing reliance on third-party platforms highlight a clear shift toward more flexible, integrated, and scalable billing ecosystems. While technical and operational challenges still exist, especially around compliance, billing logic, and PSP limitations, the trend is unmistakable: companies that invest in adaptable and user-friendly payment solutions will be better positioned to meet evolving client needs in a fast-changing digital economy.

Partner Companies

The survey was not limited to any geographical region or country and its main target was the global community of IT companies and web agencies. As such, survey respondents come from 1,050 IT companies across 48 countries. On this occasion, TechBehemoths is proudly announcing and crediting the list of partner companies that helped spread the word and gather answers for this survey.

1. 2N Consulting Group, US
2. 5w155 SA, Switzerland
3. Absolute Websites, Cyprus
4. Abstract Infosys, Nepal
5. Adverge, US
6. Aetherius Solutions d.o.o., Serbia
7. AFIVE Digital Agency, UK
8. AgileTech Vietnam, Vietnam
9. Altlier, UK
10. Analaize, Nigeria
11. Angelsmith, Inc., US
12. App Gurus, Australia
13. aPurple, India
14. Aroasis Softech, India
15. Astoe Company, India
16. Atta Systems, Romania
17. Awecode Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
18. axiusSoftware, India
19. B1 Studio, Romania
20. Bartoňová, Czechia
21. BeeWeb, Armenia
22. Bespoke Web Dev, Australia
23. Prachin Global School, India
24. Brave New Agency, Poland
25. Breidan Web Agency, Lebanon
26. BRND WGN, Malta
27. BroadWeb Digital, Australia
28. Brupace Digital Limited, Kenya
29. Bulcode 2016 Ltd., Bulgaria
30. BUSINESS CONFIG, Portugal
31. Buzzvel, Portugal
32. Byteout Software, Serbia
33. Bytevault Infotech, India
34. Calcey, SriLanka
35. Spark Solutions 360, Pakistan
36. Chill Byte, Serbia
37. Coderfy, Ukraine
38. Codezela Technologies, SriLanka
39. Codezela Technologies Ltd, UK
40. Commerce Pundit, US
41. CredibleSoft, India
42. Cyber Nest, US
43. Decipher Zone, India
44. Design-makers, Russia
45. Devmont Digital, Pakistan
46. DigiTrends Global Inc., US
47. Double Coconut, US
48. DPL, Pakistan
49. Ekantik Technologies, India
50. Element Media, Palestine
51. Elinext, Poland
52. Elite Dev Squad, Armenia
53. Elites, Lebanon
54. Empat, Ukraine
55. Epahubb Consult, Ghana
56. Epigra, Turkey
57. Exceed IT, SouthAfrica
58. Exodus Ethiopia Trading PLC, Ethiopia
59. FGM Technologies, Morocco
60. Fidex Developers (pvt) Ltd, SriLanka
61. Folio Manager, Australia
62. Foxcode, Oman
63. Fuse Web, Netherlands
64. Futurex Tech, Nepal
65. H16M Agency, France
66. HaulMar LLC, Kyrgyzstan
67. Hukumsa, India
68. hulo.dev, Ukraine
69. Hypreom Research Pty Ltd, SouthAfrica
70. I Concept Digital, Malaysia
71. Ideaware, Colombia
72. ILB Metrics, Mexico
73. Imagio Creations, Nepal
74. iMiMDesign™ Co., India
75. Information Technology, UAE
76. Infosprint Technologies, Canada
77. Infotyke, India
78. INSAIM DESIGN, Portugal
79. InStandart, UK
80. Instinctools, Germany
81. Integrated MLM Software, India
82. Isle Geeks, SouthAfrica
83. IT Brick, Uzbekistan
84. Vision Infotech, India
85. Zero Two Solutions, India
86. IZMHS, Pakistan
87. JAM-Forte Technologies, Nigeria
88. Kevych Solutions, Ukraine
89. KLH Technology Solutions, US
90. KNOWN DESIGN, SouthAfrica
91. Kuri Graphics, Ethiopia
92. kV Marketing, Colombia
93. Lasting Dynamics, Spain
94. launchOptions, Cyprus
95. Lemon Dev OU, Estonia
96. LimaRank | Agencia de Marketing Digital, Peru
97. Linkage IT Private Limited, India
98. Macovin Web Co., Philippines
99. Mahé Technologies, Mauritius
100. Ramam Tech, US
101. Markimist, Bangladesh
102. Maxcoreteam, Nigeria
103. Ministry of Programming, Sweden
104. Mobiteam GmbH, Germany
105. molfar.io, Cyprus
106. MOON LINES, Lebanon
107. morphsites, UK
108. Navus, Germany
109. NBW Internet Wizards, Greece
110. Nevexo, Romania
111. OBI Services LLC, Philippines
112. Of2On Software Solutions, India
113. One9 cummune, Pakistan
114. Parasol Leads, US
115. Phaedra Solutions, UAE
116. Pixel Zambia LTD, Zambia
117. Pixelweb, Morocco
118. PixoLabo AI, Japan
119. Qualia Solutions, Cyprus
120. Real Wisconsin Website Design, US
121. Reconnaissance Technologies, Nigeria
122. Revo Agency, UK
123. Route4design, Germany
124. Sadeed Tech, Bahrain
125. SAFCO, Tanzania
126. Sailing Byte, Poland
127. Seasia Infotech, US
128. Seedium, Estonia
129. ShotCoder Tech, Nepal
130. Sigli, Belgium
131. SinzerAD, Andorra
132. SOFTMAART, India
133. Solar Digital, UK
134. Soyculto, Argentina
135. spektralsoft, Cameroon
136. Square63, Pakistan
137. Strategic Results Marketing, US
138. Tech We Aah, South Africa
139. TechDoodles, India
140. Technostacks, India
141. Teqrox Solutions LLP, India
142. Thanka Digital Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
143. The Ave studio, Serbia
144. The Genoese Studio, Italy
145. The Logo Magic, Saudi Arabia
146. Theorem Team, Nigeria
147. TheTechies Limited, Nigeria
148. Thinkogic, India
149. Timspark, UK
150. Titan Blue Australia, Australia
151. TMZ Software, Romania
152. Transparent Data, Poland
153. Trizone Communications Pvt Ltd, India
154. TRVL CODE, Tunisia
155. Upracoreteam, Nigeria
156. Vaikunth Technologies, India
157. VATask, Bangladesh
158. Vivo Group, Australia
159. Voidweb, Bulgaria
160. VOLO LLC, Armenia
161. Web Development Service Provide, India
162. Webamboos, Romania
163. webinew, Iran
164. Webmozaika, Ukraine
165. WebOrigo Magyarország Zrt., Hungary
166. Webspot, Lebanon
167. Weetech Solution PVT LTD, India
168. Williams Web Solutions, US
169. Wind Song Enterprises, India
170. Wireless Computer Service, Nigeria
171. XY DIGITAL SRL, Moldova
172. YetiStudio, Nepal
173. ZAPTA Technologies, Pakistan
174. Zentech Softech India, India
175. Zexsoft, Romania
176. ZnetGuru, Portugal