This product has been discontinued. Consider the alternatives below.
Source-backed analysis6
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
6 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Sora Review
OpenAI's AI video app, discontinued since April 2026
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- API
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Sora was one of the most closely watched AI video tools, but the web app and mobile apps were discontinued on 26 April 2026 and the API on 24 September 2026, so it is no longer an option. This page is kept so readers understand what happened and can pick a replacement.
Best for: Readers looking up Sora's history and how to handle exported data
Skip it if: Anyone who wants to generate new videos: the service is no longer available
Pros
- Sora 2 offered synchronised dialogue and sound effects, per OpenAI
- Every video carried a watermark and C2PA metadata to show its origin
- The characters feature was consent-based and revocable
Cons
- Discontinued: web and apps ended 26 April 2026, the API 24 September 2026
- Drew objections over copyright, likenesses of deceased people and watermark-removal tools
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Cons
- OpenAI gave no specific reason when announcing the shutdown
Best for
- People comparing AI video tools who want to understand why Sora stopped
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What Sora was
Sora was OpenAI's AI video generation model and app. OpenAI previewed it on 15 February 2024, then released Sora Turbo at sora.com on 9 December 2024 for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. On 30 September 2025 it launched Sora 2, a model with synchronised audio, together with a social iOS app where users create videos, remix each other's work and insert themselves via a characters feature. Per Wikipedia, an Android app followed two months later.
Features and limits while live
The December 2024 release produced video up to 1080p and 20 seconds in widescreen, vertical or square formats, with a storyboard tool and community feeds. Plus included up to 50 videos at 480p per month or fewer at 720p; Pro offered 10x the usage. Sora was not part of ChatGPT Team, Enterprise or Edu, was unavailable to under-18s at launch, and was not offered in the UK, Switzerland or the European Economic Area. OpenAI also acknowledged it often generated unrealistic physics on complex, long actions.
Why Sora shut down
On 24 March 2026 OpenAI announced on X that it was saying goodbye to Sora. Per the official help page, the web and apps ended on 26 April 2026 and the API on 24 September 2026. The sources read give no official reason; press notes only that Sora topped app-download charts and then levelled off, plus controversies over copyright, deceased people's likenesses and watermark-removal tools. Per Wikipedia, the $1 billion Disney investment and licensing deal announced in December 2025 was affected, and several outlets report Disney no longer plans to proceed.
More analysis
What to do now
If you still hold Sora content, OpenAI directs you to export it at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and says data will be permanently deleted once any final export window passes, so export early. For new AI video work, options include Google Flow (Veo), Kling AI, Runway, Luma Dream Machine and Hailuo AI; each has its own pricing and limits, so check each vendor's official page.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
ChatGPT Plus / Pro
PersonalContact sales
The Sora app and web were discontinued on 26 April 2026 and the API on 24 September 2026. At the December 2024 launch, Sora was included in ChatGPT Plus (up to 50 videos at 480p, or fewer at 720p, per month) and Pro (10x the usage, higher resolutions and longer durations). No plan can be subscribed to now.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
OpenAI's Sora discontinuation help page points to its ChatGPT subscription refund article; purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex.
Privacy
Per OpenAI's help page, after Sora is discontinued and any final export window passes, all data associated with your use of Sora will be permanently deleted. Users export content at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset. While live, every video carried a visible watermark and C2PA metadata; the characters feature relied on the consent of the person whose image and voice were captured, and users could revoke access at any time.
Sora alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Sora still available?
No. Per OpenAI, the Sora web and apps ended on 26 April 2026 and the API on 24 September 2026.
How do I get back videos I created?
Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and click Export; you will get an email when it is ready. OpenAI recommends exporting early because data will be permanently deleted after any final export window.
What about money I already paid?
OpenAI points to its ChatGPT subscription refund article. Purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex if you wish.
What can replace Sora?
Other AI video tools in the catalogue such as Google Flow (Veo), Kling AI, Runway, Luma Dream Machine and Hailuo AI. Compare price, limits and terms on each vendor's official page.
Review evidence & sources6
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.0
- Features
- 7.4
- Value for money
- 2.0
- Performance
- 6.5
- Support
- 5.0
- Privacy & security
- 6.2
Why this score
While live, users prompted with text or images, with a storyboard tool and community feeds per OpenAI. It can no longer be used, so there is nothing further to assess.
Why this score
The December 2024 release made video up to 1080p and 20 seconds; Sora 2 added synchronised audio and characters. OpenAI itself noted physics could be unrealistic.
Why this score
The service is shut, so there is no plan left to buy. Unlike the other criteria, which describe Sora while it was live, this score reflects that it cannot be used today.
Why this score
OpenAI described Sora 2 as more physically accurate than prior systems while stating it still makes plenty of mistakes. No app-store ratings exist to cross-check since the apps are gone.
Why this score
OpenAI published a help page on exporting data, deletion and refunds after the shutdown, but there is no live product left to support.
Why this score
Watermarks, C2PA and consent for likeness, with data to be permanently deleted after shutdown. Points off for controversies over deceased people's likenesses and the appearance of watermark-removal tools.
Sources
- Vendor-providedOpenAI Help: What to know about the Sora discontinuationNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOpenAI: Sora is here (2024-12-09)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOpenAI: Sora 2 is here (2025-09-30)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOpenAI: Launching Sora responsiblyNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: Sora (text-to-video model)Nov 10, 2026
- pressThe National (2026-03-24)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- OpenAI
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2024
- Category
- AI
Capabilities
- AI features
- Public API
- Mobile app
- Real-time collaboration
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- API
Interface languages
- English
Integrations
- ChatGPT
Support
- Help center
Change history
- Company.The Sora API is discontinued.
- Company.The Sora web and app experiences are discontinued.
- Company.OpenAI announces on X that it is discontinuing Sora (app and API).
Full change history (7)
- Company.Disney announces a $1 billion investment and a three-year licensing deal covering more than 200 characters.
- Feature.Sora 2 launches with synchronised audio, alongside the Sora iOS app.
- Launch.Sora Turbo launches at sora.com for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users.
- Launch.OpenAI previews Sora with sample clips.
About the author
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