OpenAI’s Sora was an AI video-generation tool that turned prompts and other media into video. It is no longer available: OpenAI discontinued the web and app experiences on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API on September 24, 2026. The capabilities below describe the product as OpenAI announced it, not a service people can sign up for today.
What was OpenAI Sora?
Sora was OpenAI’s text-to-video model. OpenAI introduced it in February 2024 as an early research preview, describing a system that could create realistic scenes from text prompts. The initial release was intended to gather feedback from red teamers and creative professionals, rather than offer general public access. OpenAI said it was sharing the work early “to give the public a sense of what AI capabilities are on the horizon.” OpenAI’s February 2024 announcement framed Sora as research progress.
In December 2024, OpenAI released Sora Turbo as a standalone product for eligible ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. In September 2025, it announced Sora 2, a video-and-audio generation model, alongside a social iOS app named Sora. Those were successive versions and experiences of the service; none remains available following the 2026 shutdown.
Can I still use OpenAI Sora?
No. OpenAI says the Sora web and app experiences ended on April 26, 2026, and the API ended on September 24, 2026. The dates apply to those respective services; there is no current Sora sign-up or API access described by OpenAI’s discontinuation notice. OpenAI Help Center: Sora discontinuation.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
What could Sora generate?
Sora Turbo
OpenAI said Sora Turbo could generate videos up to 1080p resolution and 20 seconds long, in widescreen, vertical, or square formats. It accepted text prompts and could also work with image and video inputs. The product included tools to extend, remix, and blend assets, plus a storyboard interface for specifying inputs across frames. These were specifications and features of the historical Sora Turbo product announced in December 2024, not current capabilities. OpenAI’s Sora Turbo announcement.
Sora 2
OpenAI described Sora 2 as generating video with synchronized audio, following instructions across shots more reliably, and depicting physical interactions more accurately than earlier generations. It also described a wider range of visual styles. These are OpenAI’s characterizations; the available material does not establish independent comparative test results. OpenAI’s Sora 2 announcement.
Rank #2
What were Sora’s limitations?
OpenAI acknowledged that the Sora Turbo version it deployed could produce unrealistic physics and struggle with complex actions over long durations. That caveat matters when interpreting demonstrations: a generated clip could look convincing without consistently representing how objects and actions behave in the real world. OpenAI’s statement described the 2024 product, and does not establish how a currently available system would perform, since Sora has been discontinued. OpenAI’s Sora Turbo announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What safety and provenance measures did OpenAI describe?
OpenAI described visible and invisible provenance signals, including C2PA metadata, and safeguards intended to make use of a person’s likeness consent-based. For Sora 2’s Characters feature, OpenAI said a person would record video and audio once to verify identity and capture their likeness. Its safety materials also discuss controls for uploads featuring photorealistic people, video uploads, minors, and disallowed outputs, including moderation of video frames and audio transcripts. These measures were safeguards described by OpenAI, not a guarantee that misuse or misleading media could never occur. See the Sora 2 announcement, the Sora 2 system card, and OpenAI’s Sora safety information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
