Thomas Klein
If you are looking for Sora or Sora 2 today, the answer is short: the product no longer exists. OpenAI ended the app and web experience on April 26, 2026, and the API stops working on September 24, 2026. The Sora brand, which triggered the whole wave of interest in generative video back in 2024, is leaving the catalogue.
This article replaces our previous piece on Sora 2, which described an available product and pricing that no longer applies. We would rather say so plainly than leave an outdated page online. Below you will find what was officially announced, what happens to your account and your money, what Sora could do when it was shut down, and above all which tools take over today.
What OpenAI actually announced
The announcement is plain and unambiguous. The OpenAI help center describes a two-step shutdown: consumer interfaces first, then the developer API.
The shutdown timeline
Two dates matter, and only one is still ahead of us.
| What is being shut down | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| App and web experience | April 26, 2026 | Already closed |
| Sora API | September 24, 2026 | Still live for a few weeks |
What happens to your account
If you had access to Sora, your creations are not lost yet, but they will be. OpenAI states that after the shutdown and after any final export window, all data associated with your use of Sora will be permanently deleted. Export runs from sora.chatgpt.com/sunset, and you get an email when the archive is ready.
- Retrieve your videos now rather than at the last minute: OpenAI explicitly recommends not waiting.
- Purchased credits are not lost: ChatGPT or Sora credits can still be used for Codex.
- For a refund, the standard ChatGPT subscription refund process applies.
Why OpenAI shut down such a visible product
OpenAI has not published a detailed explanation in its help center, which sticks to practical consequences. The reasons reported by the specialist press converge on one point: cost. Video generation is by far the most compute-hungry use of generative AI, and reported estimates put running costs at around one million dollars a day at peak, for roughly one million users. No consumer subscription funds that. The other factor cited is strategic: a compute shortage forces trade-offs, and those trade-offs favour enterprise products. We present this as reported explanation, not as an official OpenAI position.
What Sora 2 could do, for the record
It is still useful to know what the product delivered, if only to judge whether a replacement matches it. The points below come from the documentation OpenAI published at the launch of Sora 2.
Short clips, not films
This is the most misunderstood point. Sora 2 generated clips of 15 to 25 seconds depending on the tier, with around 10 seconds on the free plan and up to 25 seconds for Pro subscribers. The first Sora capped out at a few seconds. We were a long way from the multi-minute videos some articles announced, including our own earlier version.
Native audio, the real breakthrough
The main technical contribution of Sora 2 was not duration but sound. The model generated dialogue, sound effects and music at the same time as the image, rather than in a separate pass. That is what gave the impression of a complete scene rather than a silent shot to be scored later.
Sora was never officially available in France
Many searches were about availability in Europe. In hindsight the answer is clear: Sora 2 rolled out in stages starting with North America, and France was never among the officially covered countries before the shutdown. The many sites offering access to Sora from France were intermediaries, not OpenAI's service. Since April 26, 2026, no legitimate access to Sora exists at all, so treat any site still selling one with suspicion.
What to use instead of Sora
The good news: the market did not wait for OpenAI. Three generators now cover what Sora did, all available in Europe and all with a free plan you can evaluate without a credit card. The prices below are those publicly advertised by each vendor in July 2026.
| Tool | Free plan | Entry tier | Its strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | 125 credits once only, 720p, watermark | 12 € per month | The most complete toolbox around generation |
| Kling AI | 66 credits per day, 5 s, 720p, watermark | 10 $ per month | Best value for money once you pay |
| Pika | 80 credits per month, 720p, watermark | 10 $ per month | The gentlest learning curve and the largest free quota |
| Veo (Google) | 50 Flow credits per day | 4.99 € per month | Native audio, the closest match to Sora 2 |
Sora has been discontinued: what happened and what to use instead
The end of Sora is a signal, not an accident. It is a reminder that video generation remains the most expensive use of AI, and that even the best-funded player in the field can walk away from offering it to consumers. For a creator, the practical lesson is never to build a workflow on a single proprietary tool.
Concretely: if you had a Sora account, export your creations now, because they will be permanently deleted. If you were looking at Sora to get started, begin with the free plan on Runway, Kling or Pika, on a real project rather than a throwaway test. The first limit you hit will tell you exactly what to pay for.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sora still available in 2026?
No. OpenAI discontinued the Sora app and web experience on April 26, 2026. The API remains accessible until September 24, 2026, after which it will be shut down as well.
Why was Sora never available in France?
Sora 2 rolled out in stages starting with North America, to manage load, moderation and regulatory constraints. France was never among the officially covered countries before the service was discontinued.
What happens to the videos I created with Sora?
They will be permanently deleted after the export period. OpenAI recommends retrieving them as soon as possible from sora.chatgpt.com/sunset: you receive an email once the archive is ready.
Will I be refunded?
The standard ChatGPT subscription refund process applies. Separately, ChatGPT or Sora credits you already purchased can still be used for Codex.
What is the best alternative to Sora today?
It depends on your priority. Runway for the most complete environment at 12 € per month, Kling AI for the best value at 10 $ per month, Pika for the simplest start. All three offer a free plan without a credit card.
Is there an alternative with generated audio like Sora 2?
Veo, from Google, is the closest today, generating audio alongside the image. Full access however goes through the top Gemini tier, noticeably more expensive than the competition.