The 2025 Bespoke Software Wishlist Survey from Propel Tech, which polled over 2,000 UK professionals, paints a picture of a business landscape that’s maturing in its digital strategy. No longer driven by immediate revenue gains or basic automation, UK firms are instead prioritising software that empowers strategic decisions, protects data, and embraces the power of artificial intelligence.

2025 marks a shift from survival to strategy

In 2024, the dominant reason for software investment was clear: cutting costs and squeezing more from less. But this year, the narrative has flipped.

According to the survey:

• Analytics and decision-making tools saw a 200%+ rise in importance compared to 2024.
  
  
• Cybersecurity-focused software is now a top priority for over 1 in 5 businesses.
  
  
• Investment in software aimed at pure revenue growth has dropped dramatically — from 329 mentions last year to just 37 this year.

Smart decisions over speedy returns

The focus is now about building long-term advantage, not just making it through the next quarter.

“Businesses are no longer in survival mode, they’re in future-proofing mode,” explains David Ritchie, Founder and Director of Propel Tech. “We’re seeing a clear move towards custom-built systems that offer strategic insights, AI capabilities and robust cybersecurity. These aren’t nice-to-haves anymore, they’re the new standard for success.”

Across sectors, digital transformation is moving away from one-size-fits-all platforms and toward bespoke, purpose-built solutions.

FACT FILE: The big picture on business software in 2025

Cybersecurity Risks Are Skyrocketing

• According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), there were over 2.4 million instances of attempted cyber crime against UK businesses in 2024.
  
  
• The average cost of a cyber breach for UK firms? £4,200, according to government data.
  
  

Data-Driven Decision-Making Pays Off

• McKinsey research shows companies that rely heavily on data analytics are 23 times more likely to acquire customers, and 6 times more likely to retain them.
  
  
• Yet, just 24% of UK SMEs say they’re currently using analytics effectively, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.
  
  

AI is Now Business-Critical

• Gartner predicts that by 2026, at least 75% of new software solutions will include some form of AI or machine learning.
  
  
• The UK government has committed £1 billion to AI development as part of its innovation strategy – and businesses are following suit.

Software of the future: Custom, intelligent, secure

2025’s investment trends suggest a clear departure from off-the-shelf systems and knee-jerk savings. In their place: highly tailored software that fits a company’s unique workflows, bolstered by predictive analytics, automation, and integrated security.

This is especially crucial in industries with complex compliance needs, shifting customer expectations and growing cyber risks. Finance, logistics, healthcare and professional services are leading the way – and others are quickly catching up.

Why businesses are turning to bespoke software

The one-size-fits-all era is over. Bespoke software gives organisations control, whether that’s integrating AI to streamline logistics, using analytics to predict market trends, or building security directly into customer-facing platforms.

“Software is no longer just a tool – it’s the foundation of how businesses think and act,” says Ritchie. “Smart systems make smart companies.”

What’s next?

Businesses that embrace intelligent, future-focused software are setting themselves up not just to survive, but to lead. As Propel Tech’s latest survey confirms, companies are no longer buying software to save money, they’re investing in it to make better decisions, protect what matters, and build a smarter future.

Download Our FREE 2025 Guide to the Future Potential of Software Development here.