Zylo 2026 SaaS Management Index: AI-Native App Spend Surges 108% (393% at Large Enterprises), ChatGPT Becomes Most Expensed App, 78% of IT Leaders Hit by Surprise AI Charges

Zylo·high signal

Zylo's 2026 SaaS Management Index reveals enterprise AI-native application spending jumped 108% overall and 393% at large enterprises, with ChatGPT now the most frequently expensed application. Despite flat app portfolios (steady at 305 apps), average SaaS spend rose 8% to $55.7M as AI tiers and consumption-based pricing increase costs on stable portfolios. 78% of IT leaders reported unexpected charges from AI pricing models, and 61% were forced to cut projects due to unplanned SaaS cost increases.