OpenAI and Anthropic Battle for Business AI Customers
Two AI labs are racing for your company's wallet — here's who's winning right now.
OpenAI and Anthropic, two of the biggest names in artificial intelligence, are locked in a battle for business customers who buy AI tools like chatbots and coding assistants. New data from Ramp, a corporate credit card company, shows that Anthropic briefly took the lead earlier this year, but OpenAI is now catching up. The data covers over 70,000 U.S. businesses that spend billions using Ramp's services, mostly in the tech industry.
This competition isn't just about bragging rights. It matters because businesses are spending more on AI tools than ever before. Over half of Ramp's customers now pay for AI services, up from 50% in March to nearly 56% in July. This growth suggests that companies see real value in AI, even as the two labs trade the top spot.
But the race isn't over. Analysts note that businesses are quick to switch between the two companies as they release new models. OpenAI's latest model, GPT-5.6 Sol, is gaining popularity among developers, while Anthropic's higher-end Fable 5 model has faced criticism for its high cost and data retention policies. Anthropic's decision to keep customer data for 30 days also sparked backlash, making some businesses hesitant.
The big picture? Both companies are growing their revenue as the AI market expands, but the fight for customers is far from settled. Businesses are still figuring out which AI tools work best for them, and the winner could change as new models are released.
- OpenAI is catching up to Anthropic in business AI customers after Anthropic briefly led earlier this year.
- Over 50% of Ramp's business customers now pay for AI services, showing strong growth in the market.
- OpenAI's latest model is popular, but Anthropic's high-end model faces criticism for cost and data policies.
Why It Matters
Your company might soon decide which AI tools to use — and that choice could affect productivity and costs.