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Author: John Badovinac

  • Partners Need More Than Technology: What ISVs Get Wrong About Embedded Payments

    Partners Need More Than Technology: What ISVs Get Wrong About Embedded Payments

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Most independent software vendors (ISVs) get the technology part right. They can code, integrate APIs, and make transactions flow smoothly. But too often, that’s where the progress stops. The payments move, yet the revenue doesn’t.

    Over the past decade, I’ve seen this pattern repeat across multiple industries. SaaS companies build strong payment functionality, but it ends up operating like plumbing: invisible, functional, but financially flat. The reason isn’t bad code. It’s that payments were never tied to a business strategy. 

    Technology alone doesn’t drive revenue

    A reliable API and good uptime are expected. But what separates an average platform from one that thrives is how it uses payments to create value for the business and for its customers.

    The ISVs who succeed understand that payments aren’t just a technical feature. They’re a financial layer that can influence pricing, retention, and customer satisfaction.

    When payments are treated purely as a feature, you end up with an integration that works, but doesn’t work for you. When they’re treated as a core part of the business model, they become a lever for growth.

    At Aurora, we see this distinction every day. Two software platforms might use the same payment technology, but the one that invests time in building a strategy that gets traction with users will consistently outperform the one that just turns on payments.

    Where most ISVs lose momentum

    1. No clear revenue strategy. 
      Many ISVs underestimate how much margin lives inside their payments flow. They launch without understanding interchange costs, pricing models, or potential revenue splits. 
    1. Misalignment with customer experience. 
      Payments should feel native to your platform, not bolted on. If the experience isn’t smooth, users resist adoption. 
    1. Lack of long-term ownership. 
      Once the integration is live, the payments often get forgotten. Reporting, analytics, and optimization take a backseat to new product features. 

    Those gaps are exactly where Aurora focuses its partnership work, helping ISVs move from functional integration to profitable integration. 

    Before anyone writes a line of code, our team starts with three questions: 

    1. How does your platform make money today? 
    1. How do your customers pay, and what do they value most about your experience? 
    1. What would success look like 12 months after payments launch? 

    The answers shape everything that follows. For some ISVs, that means setting up a transparent revenue share model with clear margins. For others, it means adding flexibility: options like ACH, subscription billing, or consumer financing that drive volume and retention. Almost universally, however, it means working with the ISV Partner to ensure their users are comfortable and confident using the payment-related features within their software. 

    Payments are a high-impact part of a product when they’re designed to fit the company’s long-term strategy. That’s why we work directly with founders, CTOs, and product leaders to tie the financial model to the product roadmap from day one. 

    Integration is just one stage of the journey

    Building the API connection is only step three in what we consider a six-step lifecycle: 

    1. Learn your business and goals. 
    1. Strengthen your product with relevant payment tools. 
    1. Model the economics. 
    1. Guide integration and compliance. 
    1. Build your go-to-market plan. 
    1. Launch and track results. 

    A true payments partner should help you through all six. Too often, ISVs are handed documentation and told they’re live. At Aurora, we stay involved through launch, adoption, and optimization. 

    Where ISVs see the biggest gains

    Our most successful partners share a few habits: 

    • They involve business and technical leaders early in the process. 
    • They view payments as a revenue function, not a technical chore. 
    • They focus on user traction 
    • They stay engaged after launch, tracking results and iterating. 

    When those pieces align, payments move from being a background service to a visible growth driver. 

    If you’ve already built payment functionality but aren’t seeing the return you expected, the issue isn’t your integration. It’s how that integration connects to your business. 

    See how Aurora helps ISVs scale profitably →

  • Aurora and 2S LimouSOLUTION Enable Flexible, Growth-Ready Payments for Transportation Operators Worldwide

    Aurora and 2S LimouSOLUTION Enable Flexible, Growth-Ready Payments for Transportation Operators Worldwide

    Reading Time: 3 minutes
    2S LimouSOLUTION logo, Aurora Payments' strategic partner for transportation.
    2S LimouWEB logo, a flagship transportation software integrated with Aurora Payments.
    2S LimouERP logo, a software solution now integrated with Aurora Payments.

    TEMPE, AZ, UNITED STATES, December 9, 2025 — Aurora Payments, a full-service payment technology provider, today announced a strategic partnership with 2S, a global leader in chauffeur software. Through this integration, Aurora’s embedded payments transportation platform ARISE is now available across 2S’s flagship solutions: LimouSOLUTION, LimouWEB, and LimouERP.

    How Integrated Payments Transportation Works in 2S Software

    The integration enables transportation companies to process payments securely and efficiently. Additionally, they can use the same transportation management software for dispatching, booking, fleet management, and invoicing. As a result, companies no longer need external terminals or disconnected systems. This unified payment system speeds up cash flow and reduces administrative work.

    “2S has a reputation for building flexible and scalable technology that meets the real-world needs of transportation companies,” said John Badovinac, SVP of Embedded Commerce at Aurora Payments. “By integrating ARISE into their platform, we’re helping 2S users simplify their operations. Furthermore, they gain real-time visibility into their payment activity.”

    Key Features of Payment Processing Transportation Integration

    The integration brings Aurora’s full integrated payment platform into the 2S ecosystem. Specifically, this includes PCI-compliant security, instant settlement, automated reconciliation, and fraud prevention tools. Moreover, it offers real-time transaction reporting from booking through billing.

    Ground transportation payments now flow seamlessly through the same system operators use for fleet management software. This means limousine software users can manage everything from dispatch to payment in one place. The result is faster processing and better cash flow control.

    “Transportation companies need tools that reduce complexity, not add to it,” said Achim Sorge, CEO of 2S. “Integrating Aurora’s ARISE platform allows us to remove payment friction across our ecosystem. Consequently, we help customers operate more efficiently.”

    The Future of Ground Transportation Payments

    The partnership enhances 2S’s position as a global leader in transportation management software solutions. At the same time, it expands Aurora’s embedded payments transportation footprint across the mobility payment systems industry. Together, the companies deliver a more intelligent, connected, and future-ready operating system for chauffeurs and transportation businesses worldwide.

    This transportation payment solutions integration represents a major step forward for the industry. By combining payment processing transportation with operational tools, Aurora and 2S create a more efficient workflow for fleet operators globally.

    To learn more about Aurora’s embedded payments platform, visit: https://risewithaurora.com/saas-software-isv/

    About Aurora Payments

    Aurora Payments is a full-service payments provider. The company delivers the financial infrastructure that powers embedded commerce for small and medium-sized businesses and the software platforms that serve them. Aurora’s platform combines payments, instant settlement, capital access, and risk management tools into a single solution. Supporting more than 30,000 merchants, Aurora is headquartered in Tempe, Ariz. The company is backed by Corsair, a leading private equity firm focused on payments, software, and financial services.

    https://risewithaurora.com/

    About 2S

    2S develops LimouSOLUTION, LimouWEB, and LimouERP—professional software systems built for the chauffeured ground transportation industry. Designed for scalability and flexibility, 2S solutions help companies manage bookings, dispatch, invoicing, and fleet logistics. In addition, the platform supports AI automation, affiliate networks, and real-time driver communication—all within a single integrated platform. Headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, 2S serves companies across the globe.

    https://limousolution.com/

    Sherrie Bryant
    Aurora Payments
    +1 702-401-5681
    sherrie.bryant@risewithaurora.com

  • Integrated Payments for ISVs: 7 Key Implementation Questions You Must Ask 

    Integrated Payments for ISVs: 7 Key Implementation Questions You Must Ask 

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    When you embed payments into your software platform, the stakes are high. A well‑built payment solution can streamline operations, satisfy users, and unlock additional revenue. But get it wrong and you’ll face friction, lost business, and headaches.  

    Here are seven questions to ask before you roll it out; covering features, compliance, scalability, and user experience. Whether you’re running subscription billing or one‑time payments, these touch points will help you make wiser choices. 

    Here’s what we’ll cover: 

    • What features should your payment system offer? 
    • How can you create a smoother user experience? 
    • What security standards must you meet? 
    • Does the solution align with your goals and revenue model? 
    • How seamless is merchant onboarding? 
    • Will it integrate with your current tools? 
    • Can it handle your growth? 

    Let’s dive in and make sense of what matters most for your business. 

    1. What features does the payment technology offer? 

    Your payment stack should cover everything your merchants—or your own business—need for a seamless operation. That means APIs for onboarding, processing transactions, issuing refunds, managing disputes—and ideally, real‑time reporting. A strong set of features gives your team more flexibility and your merchants a better experience. 

    Solid documentation and flexible integration options matter. When your payment partner supplies clear APIs, sandbox environments, and developer support, embedding becomes easier. That technical backbone lays the foundation for a smooth payment flow within your platform. 

    2. How do you create a smooth customer experience? 

    Good features alone won’t save you if the user experience is rough. Your payment workflow should feel native — customers shouldn’t leave your platform, switch screens, or feel like they’re being redirected. Stay in context. Keep the look and feel consistent with your brand: matching colors, fonts, and tone. When customers trust the look, they’re less likely to abandon. 

    On the practical side, mobile‑friendly layouts, auto‑fill fields, and smart validation (detecting card type and catching errors before submission) make a big difference. If you handle subscriptions, tokenization, and saved payment methods are essential: friction‑free repeat payments equal loyal customers. 

    Beyond checkout, integration with your business systems matters. Automatically update customer records, invoices, and reports. Trigger emails with transaction details, including IDs, amounts, and account info. These small details reduce support tickets and build confidence. 

    3. Does the solution meet PCI DSS and other security requirements? 

    Handling payment data isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. One key standard is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). A Level 1‑certified solution can light up much of your compliance burden, because you don’t need to handle raw card data directly. 

    Look for features such as tokenization (so you never store actual card numbers), end‑to‑end encryption, and support for 3‑D Secure to verify identity during high-risk transactions. Modern fraud‑detection systems monitor user behavior, device signals, and transaction patterns—and help stop harmful activity before it hits you. 

    Compliance doesn’t end at processing. Audit logs, security monitoring, data‑retention policies—they all count. Your payment integration should help you purge sensitive info, maintain logs, and stay proactive, not reactive. 

    4. Does the payment integration match your business goals and revenue model? 

    Your payment system isn’t just a backend detail—it should align with how you make money and deliver value. Do you charge one‑time fees, subscriptions, or marketplace commissions? The system needs to support those models cleanly. 

    If your payments are a core part of your offering, white‑labeling becomes essential. Branded invoices, your pricing controls, the ability to present the payment experience under your name: these strengthen your brand’s presence and credibility. 

    In short: the payment solution should feel like your feature, not an afterthought. 

    5. How does merchant onboarding work, and what support is available? 

    If merchants or end‑users struggle to onboard, your adoption will suffer. Speed matters. Ideally, they should start accepting payments quickly—same‑day virtual terminals or plug‑and‑play hardware are big pluses. 

    The signup flow should live inside your platform: no bouncing to external sites, no separate logins. Your onboarding API should plug into your dashboard. Clear code samples, sandbox mode, and developer support: these make your integration smoother. 

    Support is equally important. You need your payment partner to offer technical assistance—not just during the build, but also while you go live and beyond. For SMBs, this can mean a more straightforward approval process; for enterprise clients, it might involve tailored onboarding and training resources. 

    Educational materials cut down your support burden and build merchant independence. Cover chargebacks, reconciliation, and compliance to make it easier for your merchants to get up to speed. 

    6. Will the payment solution work with your current business systems? 

    Your platform likely uses CRM, accounting, inventory, ERP, or some combination of these. Your payment integration should play nicely with those existing systems. Data should flow rather than require manual export/import. 

    For accounting, integration with tools like QuickBooks or Xero means your reconciliation is cleaner. For CRM: forward transaction history, billing status, and payment methods into Salesforce or HubSpot to ensure complete customer visibility. 

    From a technical standpoint: RESTful APIs, webhooks, SDKs for major languages—all speed development. Ensure the payment data’s format aligns with your naming conventions and field structure. Pre‑built connectors or plug‑ins save time. 

    Real‑time sync is critical: payment status updates, refunds, or disputes should be reflected instantly. If you’re running inventory or operations across locations, the integration needs to support that scale and complexity without demanding a data‑war manual effort. 

    7. Can the payment solution scale with your business? 

    Growth changes everything. You might expand into new markets, introduce new pricing models, or onboard more merchants. Your payment infrastructure must keep up. 

    Look for the capability to handle high transaction volumes without performance dips. If you expand geographically, support for local payment methods, multi‑currency, and region‑specific compliance is essential. If you shift your business model (say from one‑time purchases to subscription with add‑ons), your solution must flex accordingly. 

    A forward‑looking payment partner avoids the need to rip out the system and start over. Growth shouldn’t mean pain—it should mean momentum. 

    Conclusion 

    Integrating payments into your software platform is more than a technical hurdle—it’s a strategic decision. The seven questions we’ve covered provide a roadmap for your integration and long‑term success. 

    Start with the essentials: identify the payment features you genuinely need, design the user journey with your customers in mind, and lock down compliance to protect your business. 

    Then align your payment system with your revenue model, streamline merchant onboarding and support, ensure smooth integration with your tooling, and pick a provider built for your future. The best software businesses don’t treat these questions as a checklist—they treat them as pillars of strategy. 

    Take time, include your development team early, and partner with a payment provider that understands your software business. Your payment solution isn’t just a gateway—it becomes part of your product. By approaching it with care, you’ll build a payment system that supports your needs today and can build for the future. 

    FAQs 

    How can integrating payments create new revenue opportunities for my software business? 

    When you build payments into your software, you unlock new possibilities: you can earn via transaction fees, subscription billing, or offering premium payment features. At the same time, you boost user convenience, making your platform more attractive and sticky—and that helps you compete more effectively. 

    What compliance requirements should I consider when integrating a payment system, and how can I ensure my software business meets them? 

    First, the foundation: PCI DSS sets the rules for storing, processing, and transmitting cardholder data. Use tokenization and encryption. Choose a payment partner certified at Level 1 to reduce your compliance scope. Beyond that, monitor changes in regulations, ensure you log events, purge data when required, and stay proactive rather than reactive. 

    How can I ensure a payment solution will grow with my business and support expansion into new markets? 

    Look for a provider with proven infrastructure, multi‑currency support, local payment methods (for your target regions), and flexible pricing models. Your payment stack should adapt if you change your business model or client base. Don’t pick a system that locks you in—or locks you out. 

  • Top 3 Reasons ISVs Fail and How to Avoid Them

    Top 3 Reasons ISVs Fail and How to Avoid Them

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Running a small or mid‑sized business is challenging enough without software that complicates your budgeting, takes too long to deploy, or leaves you without help when things go wrong. For independent software vendors (ISVs), three recurring problem areas include pricing, installation, and support. These are the major reasons customers abandon solutions. The good news is: addressing these issues is entirely achievable. 

    In short: SMBs expect transparent pricing, fast implementation, and dependable support. If you can deliver on those, you’ll not only win customers but keep them. This article examines the most common mistakes ISVs make in these three areas and offers practical improvements you can implement today. 

    Reason 1: Pricing Problems and How to Fix Them 

    Pricing missteps often undermine an ISV’s ability to connect with small and medium‑sized businesses, sometimes before a demo is completed. Confusing pricing or hidden costs drive potential clients away. 

    Common pricing mistakes 

    • Hiding the actual cost: A low headline price may attract attention—but if setup fees, integration charges, or processing costs appear later, SMB prospects often shift to a competitor. 
    • Rigid pricing tiers: When only fixed packages exist, some SMBs feel their needs don’t fit and walk away—flexibility matters. 
    • Ignoring ongoing costs: If your pricing model only covers the subscription or license fee but overlooks hosting, processing, or marketplace fees, your profitability and customer trust can suffer over time. 
    • Over‑complex pricing pages: If an SMB owner cannot quickly ascertain what they’ll pay and what they’re getting, you increase the risk of abandonment. 

    What SMBs want from pricing 

    SMBs value pricing that is transparent and predictable—so they can budget confidently. They want to know the full cost upfront, including any add‑ons or optional features. They appreciate flexibility—monthly vs annual billing options, varying transaction volumes, or usage‑based costs. Clear side‑by‑side feature comparisons help business owners evaluate value and feel confident in their decision. 

    Better pricing strategies 

    Consider usage‑aligned models—dual pricing or volume‑based pricing that separate a base fee from transaction costs so SMBs only pay for what they use. Offer a modular structure: a core package covering essentials (e.g., software license + processing) plus optional add‑ons (e.g., advanced reporting, integrations, recurring billing).  

    Adding a cost‑calculator tool on your website lets prospects estimate monthly or annual spend based on their transaction volume, building trust through transparency. Simplifying your pricing and offering clear, flexible options strengthens trust and increases adoption. 

    Reason 2: Installation and Setup Problems 

    A cumbersome installation or onboarding process is another primary reason SMBs abandon software solutions before fully adopting them. 

    Installation pitfalls 

    • Lengthy deployment: When a vendor promises “quick setup” but weeks pass until the software is operational, SMBs get frustrated—especially if payments or other business-critical functions are involved. 
    • System compatibility issues: Many SMBs run a mix of older and newer systems and often lack a whole IT team. If your software demands a pristine or very modern stack, it becomes a barrier. 
    • High technical burden: If setup requires advanced configuration, API work, database changes, or hiring outside consultants, SMBs often walk away rather than get bogged down. 
    • Poor documentation: Guides that assume high technical skill—or that are stale—leave SMBs stuck. When they cannot figure out basic setup steps, they move on. 

    What SMBs need for installation 

    They expect software to be operational quickly—ideally within 24 to 48 hours of purchase or sign‑up. They want minimal disruption to their workflow, compatibility with existing systems and hardware, and cloud‑based options that avoid on‑site servers or complex installations.  

    Clear, plain‑language setup guides (with screenshots or video tutorials) matter. Immediate access to knowledgeable support during setup is essential. Importantly, SMBs must feel confident that implementation will not interrupt their operations at a critical time. 

    Solutions for smoother installation 

    • Provide same‑day or one‑day activation through automated onboarding and pre‑configured templates or wizards. 
    • Adopt a cloud‑first approach: web‑based access, browser-friendly, mobile-friendly—reducing hardware or local‑install burdens. 
    • Offer pre‑built integrations with popular SMB tools (accounting systems, payment processors, e‑commerce platforms) so the customer can plug in and go. 
    • Include clear checklists that break setup into short steps (10‑15 minutes each), with success indicators so the SMB can see their progress. 
    • Offer remote setup assistance (screen sharing and guided walk-throughs). For high‑volume or high‑value clients, consider a dedicated onboarding service to handle the initial configuration on their behalf. 

    Reason 3: Poor Customer Support and How to Fix It 

    Even if pricing and installation are solid, inadequate support can undermine every other effort. SMBs expect dependable assistance when issues arise. Many ISVs underestimate the impact of support quality on customer satisfaction and retention. 

    How poor support hurts business 

    • Slow response times: Waiting 24‑48 hours for a reply during peak business hours is unacceptable for many SMBs, especially if their revenue depends on the software. 
    • Support agents lacking product expertise: If customers must repeatedly explain their issue or receive generic answers, frustration builds quickly. 
    • Technical‑oriented documentation that ignores non‑IT users: If guides are aimed at developers rather than business users, support costs increase and satisfaction drops. 
    • Increased operational costs: High churn due to poor support drives higher acquisition costs and more time spent on reactive support. 

    What SMBs expect from support 

    • Quick acknowledgement: Even a rapid “we’ve received your request and are working on it” builds confidence. 
    • Accessible phone support: While email and chat are valid options, speaking with a specialist matters for urgent issues. Availability during regular business hours (e.g., 8 a.m.–6 p.m.) is essential. 
    • Industry‑specific knowledge: Support staff need to understand the business context (e.g., differences in payment processing for retail vs service industries). 
    • Practical self‑service options: A searchable knowledge base with clear step‑by‑step instructions, screenshots, or videos, designed for non‑technical business users. 
    • Proactive communication: Informing customers in advance about maintenance, scheduled upgrades, or known issues fosters trust. 

    Improving your support systems 

    • Invest in training your agents in real‑world SMB use cases so they can provide practical, relevant assistance. 
    • Define clear escalation paths — tier‑1 and tier‑2 support — with documented processes so issues don’t get stuck. 
    • Use monitoring tools to detect issues proactively and notify affected customers before they discover them. 
    • Keep documentation current and tailored to business users (not just developers). 
    • For major accounts, assign a dedicated account manager who understands the client’s setup, goals, and history. 
    • Establish a feedback loop: Regularly collect customer support data and feed common issues back into your product roadmap so the software improves based on real user problems. 

    How to Avoid ISV Failure: 3 Key Steps 

    Your success as an ISV often boils down to these three core areas: pricing, installation, and support. 

    1. Use transparent, adaptive pricing. 

    Transparency builds trust. SMBs want to know what they’re committing to financially. That means no hidden fees, clear rates, and flexible tiers that match businesses of different sizes and transaction volumes. For example, a small business processing $15,000 per month may have very different pricing expectations than one processing $150,000. Offering usage‑based pricing or volume discounts helps meet that diversity. 

    2. Make installation quick and straightforward. 

    Many SMBs lack dedicated IT teams — they need solutions that are ready to go quickly. Pre‑configuration, cloud delivery, drag‑and‑drop integrations, and step‑by‑step onboarding guides minimize friction and help your software become part of the customer’s operations fast. 

    3. Provide reliable, business‑centric support. 

    When software underpins someone’s business, downtime or frustration hits hard. A well‑documented self‑service system, combined with responsive human support, helps prevent minor issues from turning into customer churn. Communicate proactively, train your support teams on business-impact topics, and track root causes to keep improving. 

    FAQs 

    What can ISVs do to create a pricing model that works for SMBs? 

    ISVs should focus on simplicity and alignment with value. Consider a value‑based pricing model (tying cost to outcomes), consumption‑based pricing (pay for what you use), and flexible billing (monthly vs. annual). Providing free trials or pilot options helps build trust by letting SMBs evaluate fit before committing. 

    What are the best strategies for ISVs to make software installation easier and more efficient? 

    Offer both guided onboarding and self‑service options. Use wizards and templates to minimize configuration time. Provide clear, plain-language step-by-step instructions (with visuals) and keep support available during the initial deployment. For key clients, offer comprehensive onboarding services, handling the setup. 

    What can ISVs do to improve customer support and boost satisfaction? 

    Focus on agent training grounded in your customers’ business context, not just technical features. Use tiered support models and automate routine inquiries so human effort goes where it’s needed most. Maintain a knowledge base designed for business users. Keep customers informed about system updates and provide a dedicated contact for strategic customers. Collect feedback and integrate it into your roadmap so your software evolves with your users’ needs. 

  • Understanding Embedded Finance: Beyond Payments

    Understanding Embedded Finance: Beyond Payments

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    Software platforms are transforming how people pay, borrow, and manage money. In the past, customers relied on separate banks, lenders, or insurers to complete financial tasks. Today, more of these services are being built directly into the digital products people already use. This shift is called embedded finance, and it’s becoming one of the most impactful trends in financial technology.

    For SaaS executives, product leaders, and business owners, embedded finance offers a new way to increase the value of their vertical-specific platform, build revenue, and strengthen and deepen customer relationships. And while embedded payments are the most common starting point, the model extends much further. With the right partner, platforms can add tools like recurring billing, white-label solutions, or even banking functions like lines of credit, deposit accounts and disbursement tools without becoming a bank themselves.

    Aurora Payments currently supports vertical-specific software companies and service platforms with embedded payments infrastructure designed to launch quickly and scale over time. Aurora is also developing the next generation of embedded finance tools to further strengthen and expand the services offered by our ISV Partners to the merchants they serve.

    What is Embedded Finance?

    Embedded finance means integrating financial services like payments, lending, insurance, or banking into software that was not originally designed for finance. For example, a pet care scheduling platform that lets users book appointments and also pay within the app is offering embedded payments. An auto repair shop system that lets customers finance their bill through the same platform is using embedded lending. The financial tools are no longer separate, they are built into the core product workflow and offer a more seamless and intuitive user experience. 

    The biggest benefit of this approach is convenience. Users no longer have to bounce between platforms or log into different systems to complete tasks. The platform is empowered to build and deliver a more relevant and curated experience that keeps the user engaged and captures more value from each transaction.

    Beyond payments: lending, insurance, banking as a service

    Embedded finance is not limited to payment processing. It includes lending options, such as buy-now-pay-later or working capital financing. It includes insurance offerings that can be added at the point of sale. It can also include banking services, such as automated account creation, custom deposit accounts for faster deposit availability, or debit card issuance for fund disbursement with full spend controls, all designed to work seamlessly within the SAAS company’s native application. 

    Aurora has built its ARISE platform, a modern technology platform with easy to use integration components, as the foundation for many of these services. Today we offer businesses the ability to accept ACH, credit cards, and digital wallets within their software, and we give platforms the tools they need to start participating in embedded finance. As our Partner’s  strategy expands, the services offered through the ARISE platform will expand as well  – ensuring that our Partners can participate in, and thrive within this new payments frontier and scale with confidence over time. 

    Key Benefits of Embedded Finance

    Software companies are embracing embedded finance not just because it is more convenient for users, but because it helps the business itself. Here are three core benefits to remember that make embedded finance a smart strategy.

    Customer retention and platform stickiness

    When your users can complete more tasks inside your software, they are more likely to stay. Payments are often the first step. Instead of directing users to an outside payment page, embedded payments allow them to complete a transaction inside your application. That convenience builds loyalty. It also allows you to offer services like recurring billing, stored payment methods, and digital invoicing that keep customers connected to your platform over time. You worked hard to earn your customers, Aurora makes it easier to keep them.

    Aurora’s ARISE platform allows software providers to embed branded payment flows that support these use cases. Once payments are integrated, software companies can build additional features around that foundation, including revenue reporting, loyalty programs, or installment billing.

    New revenue from payment activity

    Another reason SaaS companies invest in embedded finance is because it opens a new revenue stream. Every time a customer makes a payment, the software provider can earn a share of the transaction. Over time, this can become a major contributor to the company’s bottom line, especially if the customer base is growing. 

    Software companies can create a new monetization stream without having to build or manage a payments infrastructure from scratch. Aurora provides the APIs, embeddable components, onboarding tools, and compliance support needed to operate in the background, while the software provider focuses on growth.

    Fully branded user experience

    Brand matters, especially for companies that have invested in their design and customer experience. With embedded payments, payment flows remain inside the software platform and reflect the Partner’s branding. This includes checkout pages, receipts, account management screens, and more. This continuity of experience reinforces our Partner’s brand and the trust they have built with their customers. 

    Aurora gives partners full control over the look and feel of their payment experience. The platform provides flexible APIs and easy to use interface components that can be styled to match their brand. There is no need to redirect to a third-party processor or use off-brand forms. This allows platforms to offer a seamless user experience while Aurora handles processing behind the scenes. 

    Where Aurora Fits In

    Aurora Payments provides embedded payment tools specifically for SaaS companies, software vendors, and vertical platforms that want to add financial functionality to strengthen their core software product. The ARISE platform offers everything a software development team needs to launch and scale quickly.

    Our focus on embedded payments

    Aurora’s platform includes features like ACH transfers, credit card acceptance, network tokenization, stored payment credentials, and recurring billing. These tools can be easily embedded through APIs, SDKs, and hosted components. Partners can create custom payment flows that match their use cases, whether they are running a fitness platform, a repair scheduling tool, or a field service CRM.

    Behind the scenes, Aurora manages transaction processing, risk and fraud protection, compliance, and settlement. The platform supports both card-present and card-not-present environments and is designed to work across multiple devices and locations.

    How we support ISVs

    Aurora works directly with independent software vendors (ISVs) to embed payments into their products. Every partner receives a dedicated solutions engineer, a full sandbox for testing, and access to Aurora’s U.S.-based support team.

    Most importantly, the onboarding process is a curated and fully guided experience that includes dedicated assistance with API integration, payment flow design, and merchant enrollment workflow. Aurora provides branded onboarding tools so ISVs can onboard their users under their own brand, with Aurora operating in the background.

    Aurora Partners also receive a dedicated Partner Success Manager. This Partner resource is focused on providing consulting expertise to ensure our Partners take full advantage of our decades of go-to-market experience to help Partners hit the performance metrics and milestones that are important to them.

    Once the platform is live, ISVs get access to reporting dashboards, revenue tracking, and performance metrics. Aurora’s team works with partners to optimize performance and support future growth.

    Embedded Payments in Action

    Aurora supports embedded payments across a wide range of industries. Here are a few examples of how the platform delivers value in real-world use cases:

    • Veterinary platforms can offer recurring wellness plans with automatic tokenized credit card billing, reducing missed payments and administrative work.
    • Jewelry software providers can enable high-ticket transactions through secure ACH transactions using VerifyPlus within their in-app payments to reduce credit card fees and minimize risk.
    • Transportation and logistics platforms can use text-to-pay and itemized invoicing for faster settlement and predictable cash flow across multiple locations.
    • Funeral home management software can provide branded, discreet ACH payment links for pre-need and at-need services.
    • Sporting goods and league management systems can automate team dues and equipment fees using stored payment methods that are automatically updated as lost, stolen, or expired cards are updated.

    Each of these examples shows how embedded payments not only simplify operations but also open up new revenue opportunities for the software provider.

    Fintech Integration

    Embedded finance is not just a trend. It is becoming a core expectation across industries. As users expect more from their software tools, platforms that offer integrated financial services will stand out.

    Aurora Payments gives SaaS companies and software platforms a fast, reliable way to embed payments into their product. With modern APIs, strong support, and a clear revenue model, Aurora helps platforms move from payment processing to full financial integration.

    If your platform is ready to grow through embedded payments, Aurora offers the tools and support to make it happen. Let’s go!

    Embedded Finance FAQs

    Q: What is embedded finance and how does it relate to small business software vendors (ISVs)?

    Embedded finance refers to integrating financial services (payments, lending, insurance, deposit/disbursement tools) directly into non‑financial software platforms, instead of requiring users to switch to separate financial providers. For ISVs or SMB‑software vendors, this means offering payment processing, recurring billing, or working capital tools inside their own applications, increasing value and customer stickiness.

    Q: How can embedded finance support transaction cost savings and recurring payments for SMBs?

    By embedding payment processing and automated billing within the platform itself, SMBs can reduce reliance on third‑party gateways, streamline subscription/recurring payment flows, and thereby lower overall transaction fees and administrative costs. Aurora’s ARISE platform supports ACH, credit cards and stored credentials and enables recurring billing inside the software environment.

    Q: What compliance and security features should software vendors look for when implementing embedded payments?

    Software vendors need to embed payments under a compliant payments infrastructure—they should look for features such as network tokenization, PCI DSS compliance, risk and fraud protection, proper settlement workflows, and adherence to embedded‑finance regulations (which include AML/KYC where relevant).

    Q: In what way does embedded finance improve cash‑flow management for SMBs?

    Embedded finance enables features like stored payment credentials, automatic renewals, working‑capital advances and faster settlement—all of which support consistent cash flow. For example, rather than chasing paperwork or sending invoices externally, an SMB platform embedded with finance tools can trigger billing and collections inside the user experience, improving speed and predictability.

    Q: What should SMB software vendors consider when choosing an embedded‑finance partner?

    Vendors should evaluate: 1. how quickly they can launch embedded payments with the partner; 2. the flexibility of APIs/SDKs and branding (so the payments flow remains inside their UI); 3. how the partner supports future services (lending, deposit/disbursement, insurance) to grow with the vendor; and 4. what revenue‑sharing model or monetization options exist.