Software Market Size, Share & Trends Industry Report, 2030

The market growth in the region is attributed to the proliferation of smart devices and the rapid expansion of IT and e-commerce industries. Moreover, regional players are collaborating to develop solutions that are user-friendly. The industry expanded greatly with the rise of the personal computer (“PC”) in the mid-1970s, which brought desktop computing to the office worker for the first time. In the following years, it also created a growing market for games, applications, and utilities. DOS, Microsoft’s first operating system product, was the dominant operating system at the time. For Microsoft in the Software industry, the PE and PB ratios suggest the stock is undervalued compared to peers, indicating potential for growth.

Advanced suites simulate the emissions effect of replacing equipment, switching suppliers, or adjusting production volumes before capital budgets are finalized. This predictive capacity appeals to CFOs eager to quantify return on decarbonization spend and to sustainability teams tasked with validating science-based targets. Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company’s financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making. Meanwhile, sophisticated cyberattacks threaten user privacy and the operational stability of entire platforms. As digital infrastructure becomes more essential, the need for robust systems that can withstand external threats and internal errors grows more urgent.

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The demand for software solutions that promote collaboration and communication across geographically distributed teams has increased as a result of globalization and remote work. Both enterprises and individuals now require software solutions for remote project management, video conferencing, and virtual collaboration. The cloud segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Cloud-based data integration solutions offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making them appealing for organizations seeking to manage diverse data sources efficiently. Cloud platforms enable real-time data exchange and support the integration of data from multiple cloud sources, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This approach is particularly beneficial for businesses adopting cloud-first strategies to enhance operational agility.

These areas offer new opportunities for problem-solving, automation, and sustainability. As these technologies evolve, the software industry will continue to lead advancements that influence business, infrastructure, and society at large. Software is reshaping how industries operate, driving a surge in entrepreneurship and accelerating digital change across the economy. Startups use software to design new services, streamline internal processes, and respond faster to shifting customer needs.

However, the software industry faired more favorably, experiencing more positive growth in spending. The pandemic led to more digital adoption and increased spending on software as customers moved towards online channels. Enterprise software spending is set to approach a trillion U.S. dollars soon as it becomes even more crucial in digital transformation. While we strive for accuracy, the information may be based on third-party sources, market trends, and evolving industry data that are not independently verified or guaranteed to be current or complete. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Benchmark International. Market trends, forecasts, and forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to change.

When you’re ready to move forward, Lemon.io connects you with rigorously vetted developers who bring both technical skills and real-world problem-solving to the table. Working with offshore developers can be a cost-effective solution, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Language barriers and cultural differences can make communication difficult, while differing time zones may lead to delays and slower project turnaround. As demand for technical talent grows, more startups are turning to offshore and nearshore developers to scale efficiently. AI may be able to screen for technical skills, which are important when hiring developers, but this isn’t the only thing that makes a developer a good candidate. Nearly 9 in 10 companies now use AI in the initial screening process, though according to Insight Global, 93% of hiring managers see the importance of including humans in the hiring process.

The Software Market Should Remain an Area for Growth in the Future

• Startups now have access to skilled engineers in a global market, but hiring across borders also means navigating unfamiliar legal systems and tax structures.
• Many companies end up with developers who lack the depth of expertise they claim, leading to missed deadlines and costly delays.
• Continuous updates to emissions-factor libraries from EPA, DEFRA, and IEA necessitate subscription-style maintenance engagements.
• Microsoft’s large multi-cloud agreements and Intel–AWS custom-chip initiatives reinforce North America’s central role in defining architectural standards for the software development market.

Subscription pricing, low-code interfaces, and embedded AI allow SMEs to build enterprise-grade applications without large development teams, explaining their 59.0% revenue share in 2024. The software development market is valued at USD 0.57 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.04 trillion by 2030. Mid-tier players such as Red Hat, GitLab, Atlassian, and ServiceNow compete via open-source leadership, workflow orchestration, and niche compliance modules. IBM’s watsonx Code Assistant and Oracle’s AI-accelerated OCI clusters exemplify the pivot toward specialized AI services.

Some key companies in the global software industry are IBM Corporation, McAfee Corporation, Oracle, and NortonLifeLock Inc. Shares of Marvell Technology Inc., a close Broadcom competitor in the market for custom semiconductors, plunged 19% on Friday after the company’s data center revenue missed estimates. Sales of AI semiconductors were $5.2 billion, compared with an estimate of $5.11 billion. The company expects revenue from that category to reach $6.2 billion in the fourth quarter. Broadcom shares more than doubled since hitting a low in April, adding about $730 billion to the company’s market value and making it the third-best performer in the Nasdaq 100 Index.

• Understanding the software industry’s trajectory is crucial for grasping its role in shaping the U.S. economy’s future.
• Others are perpetual licenses (one-time fee), ad-supported (free with ads), open source (free with paid support), pay-per-use (usage-based), and consulting/customization services.
• Retailers frequently use point-of-sale (POS) systems, e-commerce platforms, and consumer analytics software.
• It may be challenging for businesses to keep up with the rate of change and invest in research and development.
• Software firms drive innovation, create long-lasting customer relationships, and offer resilient economic models.

According to the Mobile Apps Growth Statistics, 6 out of 10 people prefer online finance apps to manage their finances. Natural language processing and machine learning have the ability to automate repetitive tasks in the software development process, reducing human errors and increasing efficiency. With AI and ML technologies, software can automate procedures, make informed predictions, and improve user experiences. Applications powered by AI have been developed as a result of this trend in different sectors. Manufacturing held a 22.47% share in 2024, reflecting the sector’s sizeable Scope 1 and 2 footprint and existing sensor infrastructure. However, Transportation and Logistics will grow faster at 11.61% CAGR as fleet electrification, route optimization, and maritime FuelEU requirements intensify digital-tracking needs.

Enterprises embrace low-code platforms to mitigate developer shortages while sustaining rapid release cycles. Kissflow’s deployment across Puma Energy expanded from 200 to 1,500 users in under a year and cut workflow backlogs by double-digit percentages. Beyond cost savings, CIOs cite speed-to-market and business-user autonomy as critical benefits that shift low-code from prototyping to mission-critical status. APAC organizations, buoyed by an abundant citizen-developer base, are piloting low-code for enterprise resource planning extensions, accelerating uptake.

These companies often attract strong interest from venture capital firms seeking scalable, adaptable business models powered by smart technology and continuous iteration. For businesses to enhance their daily operations and core functions, they heavily rely on enterprise software to remain competitive and agile. Examples of enterprise software include enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management technologies. In general, software is defined as a set of instructions written as programming code to execute specific tasks on a computing device. The Software market covers a wide range of software products and solutions that are publicly sold by various companies. Most software solutions in this market are designed for professional use, but some can also be suitable for personal use.

The demand for professionals such as software developers, data analysts, UX designers, and cybersecurity experts remains high. Cybersecurity, in particular, has seen a surge in demand due to increasing cyber threats, with a projected 35% growth in information security analyst jobs between 2021 and 2031. E-commerce platforms rely heavily on software infrastructure to manage transactions, supply chains, and customer experiences.

Nothing in our content should be relied upon as a substitute for personalized advice from software industry qualified professionals. Benchmark International disclaims all liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content. The software industry is governed by several laws, including those pertaining to data protection, intellectual property rights, and business-specific rules. It can be difficult and time-consuming to ensure compliance with these rules, especially for software firms that operate across different jurisdictions. There is a rising need for reliable cybersecurity software and solutions to secure sensitive data due to increased cyber threats and data breaches.