Hospitality is under pressure to modernise. Guests expect digital-first journeys, not just when they book or order, but also when they pay.

According to Zonal’s GO Technology Report – Consumers in Hospitality (2023), 71% of UK guests now prefer to use technology during visits. One year earlier, almost one in three guests said they preferred invisible or “walk-out” payments. Anyone who has paid by QR code or ordered at the table with no card in sight knows why. Convenience wins, and adoption will only grow. 

Demand for seamless payments is rising, and platforms that don’t adapt risk losing ground. For ISVs, this is more than a feature request from merchants. Embedded payments are becoming a baseline expectation. They create loyalty, generate revenue, and position the platform at the heart of the operator’s business.

How embedded payments change the journey

Hospitality platforms already manage booking, ordering, and operations. Embedded payments extend that by removing the last point of friction.

• Booking a table: guests can confirm reservations and pre-pay deposits in one step. Tipping can be included at the same time, so there are no separate transactions.

• Ordering at the bar: tabs are opened, split, or pooled directly inside the bar management system. Bills can be settled without hunting for cards or terminals, even through Tap on Mobile.

• Managing multiple venues: every transaction flows into the same reporting structure. Operators see settlement, revenue, and payout data in one place, alongside their operational metrics.

The common thread is that payments no longer interrupt the customer experience or sits outside the platform. It becomes part of the same flow, controlled by the ISV.

Why ISVs should care

Embedding payments is not just a technical upgrade – it  changes the role of the platform. Instead of handing off the most sensitive step to a third party, ISVs own it. Tighter merchant relationships, new revenue opportunities, and a clearer picture of client performance are the result.

Onboarding improves too. Integrating compliance, KYC, and account set-up into a single flow reduces drop-off and gets merchants live faster. And with the right partner, ISVs can move quickly through APIs, while still branding the experience as their own.

What to prioritise when choosing your partner

The difference between an add-on and a true embedded solution lies in the power to protect trusted merchant relationships, the control that comes from seeing activity in a single portal, and the flexibility to weave payments into a branded user journey. When onboarding and KYC are handled smoothly, confidence grows on both sides. When visibility is clear, ISVs can act before issues escalate. And when payments sit naturally inside the flow, complexity fades and the experience feels like part of the product rather than an external step.

The reality is simple. Guests demand convenience and merchants want insights. Embedded payments deliver both. For ISVs, the opportunity is clear: take ownership of the payment flow now, or risk being displaced by platforms that already have.

If you would like to know more about our Embedded Payments Solution for Platforms and ISVs, please get in touch here.