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2026 AI Software Spending Report
What spend data says about where budgets are going for AI tools
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AI spending is entering a new phase. Adoption is leveling off, but companies - especially enterprises - are investing more deeply in the AI tools they already use. At the same time, growing costs and ROI scrutiny are forcing buyers to rethink how they budget for and manage AI.
Drawing on Tropic network data, this report breaks down AI software spending, adoption, wallet share, spend per employee, and the vendors gaining ground - plus what these shifts mean for procurement and finance teams.
Among the findings: AI-native tools now account for 4.8% of the average software budget, more than double January 2025 levels, while the highest-spending companies are approaching 13%.
AI spending is entering a new phase. Adoption is leveling off, but companies - especially enterprises - are investing more deeply in the AI tools they already use. At the same time, growing costs and ROI scrutiny are forcing buyers to rethink how they budget for and manage AI.
Drawing on Tropic network data, this report breaks down AI software spending, adoption, wallet share, spend per employee, and the vendors gaining ground - plus what these shifts mean for procurement and finance teams.
Among the findings: AI-native tools now account for 4.8% of the average software budget, more than double January 2025 levels, while the highest-spending companies are approaching 13%.
AI spending is entering a new phase. Adoption is leveling off, but companies - especially enterprises - are investing more deeply in the AI tools they already use. At the same time, growing costs and ROI scrutiny are forcing buyers to rethink how they budget for and manage AI.
Drawing on Tropic network data, this report breaks down AI software spending, adoption, wallet share, spend per employee, and the vendors gaining ground - plus what these shifts mean for procurement and finance teams.
Among the findings: AI-native tools now account for 4.8% of the average software budget, more than double January 2025 levels, while the highest-spending companies are approaching 13%.
Spend Management Is a Competitive Advantage
Companies are spending millions on growth software, but without intelligent spend management, they’re bleeding cash through inefficient processes. Prioritizing spend management delivers benefits across the entire organization, not just in finance. Yet, many businesses are quick to invest in sales and marketing tools while neglecting spend control—and that discrepancy is costing them. This report shows how modern spend management delivers greater ROI and helps you build the case for necessary resources.
Without it, you’re wasting time on manual tasks that could, and should, be automated.
Spend management isn’t just back-office—it's fueling top-line growth.
Integrated systems mean better control, fewer errors, and more impact.