Claude in Singapore: The gap with ChatGPT is narrowing, with its share of startup spending reaching 37%
Singapore's startup sector is demonstrating an impressive shift in the consumption structure of AI platforms. Anthropic's Claude model has made a true breakthrough over the past year: the number of paying customers grew by 258%, and total startup spending on this service increased 17-fold.
Just a year ago, OpenAI's position in Singapore seemed unshakeable — the number of its paying startup clients was more than four times that of Anthropic. However, by now, the gap has narrowed to 1.5 times, indicating Claude's rapid market share gains.
A key indicator — Claude's share of total Singaporean startup spending on AI platforms — has reached 37%. This suggests not just an increase in user numbers, but that startups are increasingly choosing Claude for critical tasks rather than just experiments.
The overall picture is also impressive: the number of startups in Singapore using at least one AI tool has grown by 42%. Meanwhile, the number of companies working with three or more platforms simultaneously has more than doubled. This points to the formation of a mature market where startups are diversifying their AI risks and seeking optimal tool combinations.
Analytical commentary: Claude's growth in Singapore is no coincidence but a reflection of a global trend. Anthropic has managed to offer the market not just an alternative, but a product with a unique emphasis on safety and interpretability, which is especially valuable for fintech and regulatory-sensitive startups that form the backbone of Singapore's ecosystem. If this momentum continues, we could see parity between Claude and ChatGPT in this region within the next 12–18 months.