For a long time, talking about artificial intelligence in the office meant talking about ChatGPT. The name became a reflex, almost a synonym. But a report published in mid-June 2026 by the analytics firm Sensor Tower has just marked a turning point: for the first time, the global market share of OpenAI's assistant has fallen below 50%.

It's not that ChatGPT is declining in absolute numbers; it continues to gain users. It's that its competitors, Google Gemini and Claude d'Anthropic, are growing much faster. For an SME in Trois-Rivières or elsewhere in Quebec, this isn't just a ranking change: it changes how they choose and integrate these tools into their daily work.

1. What the numbers really say

The Sensor Tower report covers 25 markets worldwide and provides a clear picture of the situation in May 2026. Here are the main points, for informational purposes only and based on data reported by specialized media:

• ChatGPT: 46.4% market share, down from 52.8% in December 2025 and 65.3% in December 2024. It remains first, with approximately 1.1 billion monthly users.
• Google Gemini: 27.7% of the market, around 662 million monthly users. Its growth comes mainly from its direct integration into Google products (Gmail, Docs, Android).
• Claude (Anthropic): 10.3% of the market, but a spectacular rise: from around 60 million users in December 2025 to 245 million in May 2026.

In other words, the market is not shrinking, it is being shared. We are moving from a near-monopoly to real competition among three players, not counting smaller players like Grok, Perplexity or Microsoft's Copilot, which are carving out their place for specific uses.

2. Why ChatGPT is losing ground

Several factors explain this rebalancing, and none are insignificant for a company that wants to choose the right technology partner.

Native integration makes all the difference

Gemini benefits from a simple advantage: it's already integrated into the tools that millions of people use every day. When AI appears directly in Gmail or a document, there's no need to open another website. For an SME, this is an important lesson: the most useful tool isn't always the most powerful on paper; it's the one that best integrates with your existing workflows.

Trust and values ​​matter

The report highlights an interesting point: an agreement between OpenAI and the U.S. Department of Defense in early 2026 led to a measurable increase in uninstalls. Users are increasingly looking at the values ​​behind a tool, not just its features. Claude, on the other hand, has built its reputation on security and productivity, which appeals to the professional world.

Specialization by task

Each assistant develops its strengths. Some excel at writing, others at analyzing code, and still others at summarizing long documents. The "one tool for everything" approach becomes less logical when each option shines in a different area.

3. What this means in concrete terms for your SME

Beyond the rankings, this diversification has practical consequences for a company in Mauricie or Quebec that is starting to integrate AI into its operations.

• Avoid dependence on a single provider. Building all your processes around a single assistant makes you vulnerable if its prices change, if a feature disappears, or if the service is suspended, as we have recently seen with some models withdrawn without notice.
• Prices change quickly. Subscription and token (AI usage) rates fluctuate frequently. Always check the official pricing schedules before committing, and plan your budget accordingly.
• Data protection remains the priority. Regardless of the assistant chosen, the real question is: where does your data go, who can read it, and are you complying with Law 25? This is where professional support makes all the difference.

At OKTO, we help businesses make these choices without getting lost in the marketing hype of tech giants. Our managed IT services include evaluating AI tools based on your actual needs and confidentiality obligations.

4. How to choose the right AI tool in 2026

With three strong players and several specialists, the best approach is no longer to pick a winner, but to build a simple strategy. Here's how to do it without overcomplicating things.

• Start with the task, not the brand. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish: writing emails, analyzing figures, summarizing contracts. Then choose the most powerful tool for that specific task.
• Look at what you're already using. If your SME runs on Microsoft 365, an assistant integrated into your suite can be easier to deploy than an external tool. Less friction, more adoption by your team.
• Test before you scale. Try it out on a small team or pilot project before implementing a tool across the entire company. You'll avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary expenses.
• Define its use. Give your employees clear rules: what information can be entered into an assistant, and what information remains confidential. A one-page AI usage policy is better than nothing.

The beauty of the current situation is that competition is pushing all suppliers to improve and lower their costs. A well-advised SME now has access to tools that were reserved for large companies just two years ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ChatGPT still the best AI assistant?

ChatGPT remains the most widely used in the world and is still an excellent general-purpose tool. But "best" depends on your needs: Gemini excels in the Google ecosystem, while Claude is renowned for writing and analyzing long documents. The right choice is the one that suits your work, not the one that tops the rankings.

Should an SME use multiple AI assistants?

Often, yes. Many companies use a tool integrated into their office suite for everyday tasks and a specialized assistant for specific tasks. The important thing is to maintain control over costs, access, and data confidentiality.

Is my data safe with these tools?

It depends on the provider, the plan, and the configuration. Professional versions generally offer better guarantees than free consumer versions. In Quebec, Bill 25 imposes specific obligations regarding personal information, so specialized support is strongly recommended before deploying AI on a large scale.

Making the right AI choices, with a trusted partner

The AI ​​market is diversifying, and that's good news: more choice, more competition, better prices. But more choice also means more decisions to make, and each one impacts your data and your budget. Rather than following the latest trends, take the time to align your tools with your actual needs. Our team helps you evaluate the options, protect your information, and train your staff. Discover our IT services for SMEs or contact us to discuss your AI strategy in Trois-Rivières, the Mauricie region, or anywhere in Quebec.