Is Sora AI free? Not anymore. OpenAI shut down the Sora app on April 26, 2026 and the Sora API on September 24, so no free or paid Sora is left to use.

Quick answer: no, Sora isn’t free, because Sora no longer exists as a product. OpenAI’s help center confirms the Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API on September 24, 2026. If you want free AI video today, the most reliable no-cost option is Google Vids, which gives personal Google accounts 60 seconds of AI video clips a month. We checked OpenAI’s and Google’s own help pages on October 29, 2026.

Plenty of pages still answer this question as if Sora were live, quoting old ChatGPT Plus allowances and watermark rules. Those answers are out of date. Below is what actually happened, what you can still do with an old Sora account, and where to make AI video for free now.

What happened to Sora

OpenAI closed Sora in two steps. The consumer experience, the Sora app and sora.com, went first, on April 26, 2026. Developers kept API access for five more months, until September 24, 2026. OpenAI’s Sora page now leads with one line: as of April 26, 2026, the Sora product is no longer available, and it points people to image creation in ChatGPT instead.

So “is Sora free?” really splits into three questions: can you still get your old videos, what happens to money you paid, and what should you use instead.

Can you still get your Sora videos?

Maybe, but don’t wait. OpenAI says you can export content you made by going to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and clicking Export, and you’ll get an email when the file is ready. It also says that once any final export window passes, it will permanently delete all data tied to your Sora use. If a final window is offered, OpenAI says it will email you before it begins.

Four steps for former Sora users: export videos, check refunds, use credits, pick a free tool

Refunds and leftover credits

For refunds, OpenAI sends Sora users to its standard ChatGPT subscription refund process. The useful detail is about credits: any purchased ChatGPT or Sora credits can still be used for Codex, OpenAI’s coding agent. They don’t turn into video credits anywhere else, so if you don’t code, ask about a refund instead.

Free alternatives to Sora in 2026

Most “free Sora alternative” lists recommend tools that have since cut their free tiers. Here’s what the vendors’ own pages say today:

Free alternatives to Sora compared: Google Vids, Gemini, Google Flow, Clipchamp and open models
  • Google Vids (best free pick): Google’s help page lists 60 seconds of AI video clips a month and 6 AI avatar videos for a personal Google account, resetting on the first of each month. It runs in a desktop browser and is built for short promos and explainers rather than cinematic shots.
  • Gemini app: video generation isn’t on the free plan. The cheapest route is Google AI Plus at $4.99 a month in the US.
  • Google Flow: Google’s Flow help center now lists a Google AI Plus, Pro or Ultra subscription as a requirement to use Flow. Its credits page still mentions 50 daily credits for non-subscribers, with no video at peak hours, so treat free Flow access as unreliable.
  • Clipchamp: not a generator, but its free plan exports watermark-free 1080p video and includes AI editing tools, so it’s where you finish clips made elsewhere.
  • Open models: models such as Wan run free on your own GPU with no credit meter, if you have the hardware and patience for setup.

For the full field, with watermarks and free seconds compared, see our best AI video generator free ranking. If you’re starting from a written prompt, our free AI text to video generator list covers more tools.

How much does AI video cost now that Sora is gone?

With Sora, AI video came bundled in a ChatGPT plan. Now you’ll usually pay for it separately. The cheapest mainstream step up is Google AI Plus at $4.99 a month, which adds video in the Gemini app and more Flow credits. OpenAI now points former Sora users to image creation in ChatGPT instead. Our how to make an AI video for free guide shows a full workflow that stays at $0: script in a free chatbot, clips from a free generator, then edit in Clipchamp.

Common questions from former Sora users

  • “Sora isn’t loading.” It isn’t down; it’s closed. There’s no app to reinstall.
  • “My API calls fail.” The Sora API ended on September 24, 2026. Swap to another video API and re-test your prompts.
  • “Where did my Sora drafts go?” Only what you export from sora.chatgpt.com/sunset survives; OpenAI says the rest will be permanently deleted.

Our verdict

Sora isn’t free because it’s gone: the app closed on April 26, 2026 and the API on September 24. Export anything you still need, move leftover credits to Codex or ask for a refund, and use Google Vids for free short clips. If you make video every week, budget for one paid plan rather than chasing free trials. Wondering about other big AI brands? See is Claude AI free.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sora AI free?

No. Sora is no longer available at all. OpenAI discontinued the Sora app and website on April 26, 2026 and the Sora API on September 24, 2026.

Why did Sora shut down?

OpenAI discontinued Sora as a product. Its help center covers the dates, exports and refunds, and its Sora page now points users to image creation in ChatGPT.

Can I still download my Sora videos?

Possibly. Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and click Export. OpenAI says it will permanently delete Sora data after any final export window ends.

What happens to my Sora credits?

OpenAI says purchased ChatGPT or Sora credits can still be used for Codex. For refunds, follow its ChatGPT subscription refund process.

What is the best free alternative to Sora?

Google Vids. Personal Google accounts get 60 seconds of AI video clips a month for free. Video in the Gemini app needs Google AI Plus at $4.99 a month.