Insight Action · Buying Signal Index · Run September 2026

The software market, scored by its own customers.

Live pain scores for B2B software — built from customer source records, refreshed every run. No vendor pitches, no affiliates, just receipts.

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20Vendors tracked
1473Customer source records
10Scored dimensions
MonthlyData refresh
This Run's Headlines

Key Findings

Run September 2026·Generated from this run's data
Highest Pressure
88/100Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.

8×8 posts the run's highest Need to Act, the strongest urgency signal in this run's data.

Strongest Demand
76/100Category Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.

Payments leads Category Need; the market wants more than incumbents deliver.

The Signal

Who's Under the Most Pressure

Vendors ranked by evidence-weighted pain. Switch the lens to read the market your way.

Run September 2026·19 scored vendors·Methodology

Buyer lens - ranked by urgency: whose customers are hurting most right now.

01
8×8Comms · 61 records
88 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Acute · Need to Act
02
AirtablePm · 183 records
88 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Acute · Need to Act
03
ActiveCampaignMartech · 136 records
82 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Acute · Need to Act
04
AdyenPayments · 115 records
82 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Acute · Need to Act
05
Alibaba QwenAi Labs · 29 records
82 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Acute · Need to Act
06
AhrefsSeo Aeo · 183 records
78 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Elevated · Need to Act
07
1PasswordCyber · 237 records
68 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Elevated · Need to Act
08
AffinityDesign Creative · 143 records
68 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Elevated · Need to Act
09
AircallComms · 61 records
65 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Elevated · Need to Act
10
ADPHr · 43 records
60 ↑Need to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.Elevated · Need to Act
The Index

Buying Signal Index

Every vendor, scored from customer source records - not vendor pitches.

Run September 2026·20 vendors tracked·Methodology
#Vendor▲Need to Act▲Category Need▲Vulnerability▲
01
8×8
Comms61 records
88↑AcuteNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
85↑AcuteCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
92↑AcuteCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
02
Airtable
Pm183 records
88↑AcuteNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
72→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
85↑AcuteCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
03
ActiveCampaign
Martech136 records
82↑AcuteNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
68→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
86↑AcuteCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
04
Adyen
Payments115 records
82↑AcuteNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
76→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
85↑AcuteCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
05
Alibaba Qwen
Ai Labs29 records
82↑AcuteNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
76→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
88↑AcuteCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
06
Ahrefs
Seo Aeo183 records
78↑ElevatedNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
75→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
80↑AcuteCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
07
1Password
Cyber237 records
68↑ElevatedNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
45→LatentCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
75↑ElevatedCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
08
Affinity
Design Creative143 records
68↑ElevatedNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
72→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
76↑ElevatedCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
09
Aircall
Comms61 records
65↑ElevatedNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
50→LatentCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
62↑ElevatedCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
10
ADP
Hr43 records
60↑ElevatedNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
55→LatentCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
65↑ElevatedCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
11
11x
Sales Intelligence54 records
35→QuietNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
65→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
45→LatentCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
12
Acuity Scheduling
Scheduling62 records
34→QuietNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
62→ElevatedCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
44→LatentCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
13
Abridge Early Signal
Healthcare17 records
20→QuietNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
85→AcuteCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
15→QuietCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
14
Ada
Cx0 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
15
Adobe Commerce
Ecommerce31 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
16
Adobe Creative Cloud
Design Creative45 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
17
Adobe Sign
Esign3 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
18
Airbase
Expense0 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
19
Airbyte
Data Platform45 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
20
Alvys
Logistics25 records
Insufficient evidenceNeed to Act measures the urgency of reported customer pain. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCategory Need measures how strongly customers report unmet needs across the category. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceCompetitive Vulnerability measures exposure to customer loss associated with reported pain. Higher means more reported pain.
→
Showing 1–20 of 20 vendors
The Map

Where the Pain Lives

Average pain per category across ten scored dimensions. Darker means customers are hurting more.

Run September 2026·Early-track vendors excluded
CategoryRenewalsPricingTime-to-valueSupportReliabilityBeliefAIIntegrationGapsSwitching
Sales Intelligence1 vendor
35This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
55This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
25This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
15This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
45This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
25This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
50This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
25This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
55This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Cyber1 vendor
65This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
85This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
50This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
68This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
52This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
75This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
30This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
35This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Comms2 vendors
94This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
85This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
45This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
90This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
80This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
54This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
85This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
18This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
70This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Martech1 vendor
88This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
84This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
91This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
64This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
68This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
83This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Scheduling1 vendor
36This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
52This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
28This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
54This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
22This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
18This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
58This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
42This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
56This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Cx1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Ecommerce1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Design Creative2 vendors
68This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
74This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
48This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
58This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
71This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
64This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
52This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
56This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
82This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Esign1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Hr1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
68This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
52This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Payments1 vendor
84This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
68This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
76This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
92This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
48This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
85This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
88This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
72This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Seo Aeo1 vendor
82This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
88This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
45This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
78This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
85This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
68This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
52This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
25This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
62This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Expense1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Data Platform1 vendor
22This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
38This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
45This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
58This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
18This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
42This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
52This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Pm1 vendor
92This score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
92This score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
88This score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
75This score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
45This score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
65This score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Ai Labs1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
87This score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Logistics1 vendor
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Renewals. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Pricing. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Time-to-value. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Support. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Reliability. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Belief. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in AI. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Integration. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Gaps. Higher means more reported pain.
Insufficient evidenceThis score measures reported customer pain in Switching. Higher means more reported pain.
Quiet 0–39 Latent 40–59 Elevated 60–79 Acute 80+ Insufficient evidence
The Watchlist

New & Rising

Early-track vendors - signal is forming but the evidence floor isn't met yet.

Run September 2026·Excluded from category averages
Go Deeper

Explore the Intelligence

Every page built from the same evidence base
V
Vendor Profiles

Full pain profile per vendor, scores, findings, and what’s getting worse.

 R
Renewal Questions

What to ask before you sign again, and where the evidence gives you leverage.

 A
Alternatives

Why customers leave a vendor, and the products they name when they move.

 VS
Head-to-Head

Evidence-based comparisons between the vendors customers actually weigh.

 ★
Best of Category

Low-pain shortlists on heavy evidence. No affiliates, no sponsors.

 H
Category Pain Hubs

Pricing traps, renewal risk, and support failures, category by category.

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How we score

Every number is built from publicly available customer source records, with quotes capped, attribution verified, and thin data flagged as insufficient. Read the full methodology →