New market research from analytics firms including IDC and Gartner suggests OpenAI is narrowing the gap with Anthropic among business customers, according to data tracking enterprise AI adoption rates across key sectors.
What Happened
Multiple data sources indicate that OpenAI has gained ground with enterprise clients in recent months. According to figures shared by IDC, OpenAI's share of new enterprise contracts grew from 38% to 49% year-over-year through Q2 2026, while Anthropic's share remained flat at 31%. The shift comes as companies increasingly evaluate both providers for business-critical applications. The competitive dynamics between the two AI labs have intensified in key sectors including financial services, healthcare, and software development.
Why It Matters
The enterprise market represents a crucial battleground for AI providers seeking sustainable revenue streams beyond consumer products. Anthropic has positioned itself as the preferred choice for businesses prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance, while OpenAI has emphasized broad capability and integration flexibility. A shift in adoption trends could reshape competitive positioning across the enterprise software sector, which IDC estimates will exceed $1 trillion annually by 2028.
The Bottom Line
"The enterprise AI landscape is shifting more rapidly than many expected," said an analyst at Gartner who tracks enterprise AI adoption. "We're seeing OpenAI make meaningful inroads with business users that were historically more favorable to Anthropic." Representatives for OpenAI and Anthropic did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.