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OpenAI is gaining on Anthropic with business users, new data indicates
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- DeepHorus
OpenAI is narrowing the gap with Anthropic among U.S. business users, according to new spending data from corporate credit card company Ramp. The shift marks a significant reversal in the competitive landscape for enterprise AI services, where Anthropic had previously seized a lead.
Historically, OpenAI held a dominant position with both consumer and business users. However, in May, data from Ramp showed Anthropic had captured 41% of its paying business market share compared to OpenAI's 39%. By July, Anthropic's share grew to nearly 44%, with OpenAI following closely at just under 40%.
The data is drawn from over 70,000 American businesses that spend billions via Ramp's platform. While the customer base skews toward the technology sector, it provides a meaningful snapshot of market trends in the absence of direct financial reports from either AI lab, which are both planning IPOs.
A recent uptick indicates OpenAI is growing faster among this user segment in the third quarter to date. Ramp economist Ara Kharazian suggested on X that this growth is fueled by the positive reception to OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol model among developers.
Conversely, Anthropic's higher-end Fable model tier may have faced challenges. Kharazian noted it "disappointed" in adoption and practical application, partly due to its cost and a policy requiring 30-day data retention for regulatory compliance, which sparked user concern.
This fluctuation highlights the non-permanent nature of enterprise loyalty in the AI sector. Businesses appear willing to switch providers based on model performance and pricing, a volatility that presents a risk factor for investors assessing the long-term "stickiness" of corporate AI spending.
Despite the competition for market share, the overall market for paid AI services is expanding. Ramp's data shows that the percentage of its client companies paying for AI tools surpassed 50% in March and climbed to nearly 56% by July, suggesting both vendors may be growing their total revenue.
Looking ahead, the trend could easily shift again before the third quarter concludes. The ongoing duel between OpenAI and Anthropic underscores the rapid evolution of enterprise AI needs and the importance of continuous model improvement to retain business customers.
