For the first time since the week of February 26, 2024, users of the AI model gateway OpenRouter spent more on OpenAI's models than on those from rival Anthropic. The shift occurred during the week of September 7, 2026, marking a notable reversal in a trend that had seen Anthropic's models, such as the Claude series, dominate developer spending on the platform for over two and a half years.
The change in spending is attributed to the release and growing adoption of OpenAI's newer models. Specifically, a model referred to as Astra, released in early September, was a significant driver, capturing a substantial portion of the combined spending between the two AI labs shortly after its debut. This data point, measured in dollars spent rather than usage volume, suggests a potential shift in where paying customers are finding the most value for complex tasks.