Under the Stack: Episode 1 - Should ISVs Buy or Build?

Payments are mission-critical for ISVs — but they’re also heavy, slow, and expensive to build. In this first episode of Under the Stack, we go under the hood of one of the biggest decisions ISVs face as they scale: should you build your own payments stack, or buy and integrate instead? Drawing on real-world examples and decades of payments experience, we explore the true cost of going slow - from delayed product roadmaps and missed revenue opportunities to customer churn, reputational damage, and renewal risk. We unpack why building payments infrastructure often pulls engineering teams away from the features customers actually pay for, and how falling behind in payments can make an entire product feel outdated.This episode breaks down:Why “owning the stack” is still such a powerful - and risky - instinct for ISVsHow slow payments innovation directly impacts NPS, churn, and ARRThe hidden compliance, certification, and operational costs most teams underestimateWhy speed to market unlocks upsell, cross-sell, and expansion revenue soonerHow buying vs building affects CAC payback and long-term growthIf you’re an ISV navigating payments strategy, product prioritisation, or scale - this episode is a must-listen.