TL;DR
Ramp’s AI Index reveals that Anthropic now has a higher share of business customers than OpenAI, marking a significant shift in enterprise AI adoption. The trend is based on data from over 50,000 companies and reflects recent growth for Anthropic.
For the first time, Anthropic has more verified business customers than OpenAI, according to Ramp’s latest AI Index, which compiles expense data from over 50,000 companies. This marks a notable shift in enterprise AI adoption and signals Anthropic’s growing influence in the corporate sector.
The Ramp AI Index shows that 34.4% of participating companies are paying for Anthropic’s AI services, compared to 32.3% for OpenAI. This is the first time Anthropic has held the lead in the index, which reflects client expense data from companies across various industries.
According to Ramp economist Ara Kharazian, Anthropic has already gained significant traction among high-adoption sectors such as finance, technology, and professional services. While OpenAI still leads in other industries, the gap has been narrowing over recent months. The data indicates that Anthropic’s growth has been particularly rapid over the past year, with its share of paying customers rising from 9% in May 2025 to 34.4% in May 2026.
Why It Matters
This development is significant because it signals a shift in enterprise AI preferences, potentially impacting the competitive landscape among AI labs. For businesses, it reflects growing confidence in Anthropic’s offerings and strategy, which appears to be resonating with a broader range of industries. The trend may influence future investments and partnerships in the AI ecosystem, as companies reassess their vendor choices based on recent adoption patterns.
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Background
Historically, OpenAI has been the dominant player in enterprise AI, with large-scale integrations and widespread recognition. However, recent months have seen Anthropic accelerate its enterprise focus, emphasizing technical customer needs and expanding through tools like Cowork. The shift is partly attributed to Anthropic’s targeted approach, which initially focused on high-adoption sectors before broadening its reach.
Prior to this, the AI Index from Ramp last showed OpenAI leading in December 2025, with Anthropic trailing behind. The current data suggests a significant change in the competitive dynamic, driven by Anthropic’s strategic execution over the past year.
“”Anthropic has already been in the lead amongst the high adoption groups like finance, tech, professional services. It’s across the other firms where OpenAI still has a lead, but that has been shrinking over the past couple of months.””
— Ara Kharazian, Ramp economist
“”What Anthropic did worked really well — starting with a very technical customer base, focusing on their needs, succeeding in execution, and then broadening out through tools like Cowork.””
— Kharazian, in a blog post
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What Remains Unclear
It is still unclear whether this trend will continue, as Kharazian expressed skepticism about Anthropic’s long-term advantage. The data only covers companies using Ramp, which may not fully represent the entire enterprise market, and the competitive landscape remains dynamic.
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What’s Next
Next steps include monitoring whether Anthropic maintains its lead in the coming months and how OpenAI responds. Industry analysts will likely scrutinize further data, and Anthropic’s growth strategies will be tested as it aims to sustain its momentum across more sectors.
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Key Questions
Does this mean Anthropic is now the leading enterprise AI provider?
Not definitively. The data shows Anthropic has more verified business customers among Ramp’s clients for now, but broader market share across all enterprise sectors remains to be seen.
What does this shift mean for AI competition?
This indicates a potential change in enterprise preferences, with Anthropic gaining ground among high-adoption industries, which could influence future vendor choices and industry dynamics.
Could OpenAI regain its lead?
Yes, it remains possible, especially if OpenAI accelerates its enterprise strategies or introduces new products that appeal to a broader customer base.
How reliable is Ramp’s data for industry-wide trends?
Ramp’s data is based on expense reports from over 50,000 companies using its platform, making it a broad but not comprehensive proxy for the entire market. Caution should be exercised in extrapolating beyond this sample.
What are the implications for businesses choosing AI providers?
Businesses may consider Anthropic more seriously now, especially in sectors where it has shown rapid growth, but should evaluate each provider’s offerings and strategic fit for their needs.
