ServiceNow Nets 47% CIO Spend Score as 2026 Software Budgets Jump 6.2%
NOW•An IT executive survey reveals ServiceNow recorded a 47% net positive spend score for 2026 software budgets, trailing Palo Alto Networks (53%) but ahead of AWS (44%). CIOs project 6.2% software budget growth in 2026 and 38% plan to boost dedicated AI spending driven by rising token and API use.
1. Survey Overview
An IT executive survey of 40 CIOs assessed spending intentions for 2026 software budgets and AI projects.
2. ServiceNow Performance
ServiceNow posted a 47% net positive score, ranking behind Microsoft (85% planning higher spend) and Palo Alto Networks (53%), and ahead of AWS (44%).
3. Software Budget Growth
CIOs expect overall software budgets to grow 6.2% in 2026 compared with 4.8% growth projected for 2025, with 83% forecasting increases and only 5% expecting declines.
4. AI Spending Trends
Approximately 68% of CIOs now hold dedicated AI budgets, 73% report year-to-date token and API spending above expectations, and 38% plan further AI budget increases to support higher usage.
