Businesses Switch Lanes: Anthropic Overtakes OpenAI in AI Spending

"Companies are now choosing Anthropic over OpenAI for their artificial‑intelligence needs, a surprising turn in the industry. Data from Ramp’s AI Index shows that in April, 34. 4% of U. S. firms used Anthropic’s services compared with 32. 3% for OpenAI, flipping a dominance that had existed since the early days of generative AI. Ramp tracks how companies pay for software through corporate cards, giving a snapshot of where the money is going each month. Although it does not capture every single AI purchase, the index is widely respected for indicating broader market trends. \n\n For a long time, OpenAI was the go‑to choice for enterprises looking to integrate AI into software development, research, finance, and customer support. But Anthropic has steadily built a stronger presence, especially after the release of Claude Code in late 2025 and early 2026.That tool made coding faster and cheaper, drawing more firms to the platform. \n\n Anthropic is now pushing its success into other business areas like legal work, finance operations, and academic research. Yet experts caution that the shift may not last forever. “The AI market is highly fluid, with firms switching models quickly based on price, performance, and reliability, ” said a Ramp economist. Rising token costs, limited computing resources, and the allure of cheaper open‑source options could shift spending patterns again soon. \n\n In short, while Anthropic has taken the lead in current corporate AI spending, the race is far from over. Businesses will continue to evaluate each provider’s strengths and costs as new tools emerge. "