Discontinued product
What happened to Sora, and what to use instead
OpenAI closed the Sora app and website on April 26, 2026 and shut the Sora API on September 24, 2026. Here is what that means for your videos and credits, and the source-cited tools creators moved to.
How this list works
Google Veo
The closest direct replacement for cinematic text-to-video: Veo 3.1 via Google AI plans (Plus $4.99/mo, Ultra from $99.99/mo) with 10 free clips/month in Google Vids.
Starting point: Consumer access via Google AI plans (Google AI Plus $4.99/month, Pro $19.99/month, Ultra from $99.99/month... · Free tier: Free tier available
Higgsfield
The way to keep several Sora-class models under one subscription: Higgsfield runs Seedance 2.5, Kling 3.0, Veo 3.1 and more on shared credits. Plus is $39 a month billed yearly ($49 monthly) for 1,000 credits, and Higgsfield lists an 8-second 720p Seedance 2.5 clip at 52 credits, about $2.55. Some plans add time-limited unlimited windows.
Starting point: Free plan (limited use, 1 concurrent job, selected models only). · Free tier: Yes — Free plan with 'limited use' per the official pricing page: 1 concurrent job.
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Kling AI
A strong single-model replacement with its own app and API: Kling 3.0 lists at $0.168 per second at 1080p with native audio on Kling's API, and consumer plans start at $5.99 a month. Kling 4.0, with 30-second clips and 4K HDR, was announced for October 2026.
Starting point: Standard membership starts at $5.99/mo (660 credits), Pro at $37/mo (3,000 credits), and Premier at $92/mo... · Free tier: Yes — Free tier with daily free credits for registered users (official 'KlingAI Daily Free Credits' program).
Runway
The most established creative-production platform for AI video: free 125 one-time credits, Standard from $12/mo annual, with per-model credit costs and editing tools built in.
Starting point: Free plan (125 one-time credits). · Free tier: Yes — Free plan ($0, 'Free forever'): 125 one-time credits that don't expire to explore a selection of generative creative models.
Luma
Generation plus agent-style iteration under one credit system: Plus is $30 a month ($25 billed yearly) for 10,000 credits with commercial use included.
Starting point: Plus $30/month or $25/month billed yearly ($300/year), 10,000 credits a month, commercial use included. · Free tier: No free tier
Pika
Cheap, fast, playful generation for 5-second clips and effects: no watermark on any plan, commercial license from the $28 Creator plan.
Starting point: Free plan ($0, no monthly credits, credit packs only, no commercial license). · Free tier: Yes — Free plan: $0 with no monthly credits (generation needs purchased credit packs).
Sources
Every claim on this page traces to the official product page of each listed tool. Free-tier details and pricing change often — open the official source before relying on a number.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Sora?
OpenAI discontinued it. The Sora web and app experiences closed on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API was discontinued on September 24, 2026, according to OpenAI's Help Center.
Why was Sora discontinued?
OpenAI's help article on the discontinuation does not give a reason. It covers the dates, exports, data deletion, refunds and credits, and it did not name a replacement product under the Sora name.
How do I download my Sora videos?
Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and click Export; OpenAI emails you when the export is ready. Do it soon: after any final export window, OpenAI says it permanently deletes Sora data.
Can I still use my Sora credits?
OpenAI says purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex. For refunds, it points to its ChatGPT subscription refund article.
What is the best free alternative to Sora?
Runway gives 125 one-time free credits and Pika has a free monthly allowance; Google Vids includes free Veo clips on Google AI plans. For several models under one paid plan, Higgsfield starts at $15 a month. Check current terms on each official site.