⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This post is not an affiliate associated review. It may become one in the future and this disclosure will reflect that. This does not affect my reviews and I only recommend tools I genuinely believe in.
OpenAI has discontinued Sora. The web and app experiences shut down on 26 April 2026, and the Sora API follows on 24 September 2026. If you created anything in Sora, you need to export it — OpenAI has said it will permanently delete Sora data once any final export window closes. This page explains what happened, how to get your content out, and which AI video tools are worth moving to.
⚠️ Export your Sora content now
Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and click Export. You will get an email when the file is ready. OpenAI will permanently delete Sora data after any final export window passes.
What happened to Sora?
OpenAI confirmed the shutdown in its help centre. The two dates that matter:
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Sora web and app experiences | Discontinued 26 April 2026 |
| Sora API | Discontinued 24 September 2026 |
| Data deletion | After any final export window closes |
OpenAI has not published a detailed explanation of why. What it has confirmed is that Sora is going, that you should export your content as soon as possible, and that any ChatGPT or Sora credits you purchased can still be used for Codex instead.
If you are looking for a Sora review, that is why you cannot find a current one worth reading. There is no longer a product to review.
How to export your Sora content
- Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset
- Click Export
- Wait for the email confirming your export is ready
- Download it and store it somewhere permanent
Do this today rather than bookmarking it for later. OpenAI says it will notify users by email if a final export window is offered, but the safe assumption is that content not exported will eventually be gone.
What to use instead of Sora
The good news is that AI video moved on considerably while Sora was winding down. Several tools now match or beat what Sora offered, and most have free tiers Sora never had.
If you want the best free plan: Kling AI
66 credits every day, renewing, which is roughly six clips daily at no cost. Free output is watermarked, capped at 720p and five seconds, and cannot be used commercially — but for learning and experimenting it is the most generous option available. See our Kling AI review.
If you want professional control: Runway
Runway pairs a strong model in Gen-4.5 with an actual video editor, and since 2026 a subscription also includes Google Veo 3.1, Kling 3.0 Pro, Seedance and FLUX. Standard is $12 a month on annual billing. See our Runway review.
If you want the best value: Dreamina
ByteDance’s consumer platform gives 225 free tokens a day and membership at around $9.60 a month, running on the same Seedance models sold to enterprises through BytePlus. Worth noting the ByteDance ownership if your organisation has views on that. See our Dreamina review.
If you care most about motion quality: Luma Dream Machine
Luma has consistently produced the most natural movement in AI video. The web version still offers around 80 free credits a day, though the newer Luma Agents tiers start at $30 with no free option. See our Luma Dream Machine review.
If you want something different: Pika
Pika is not chasing realism. Its effects let you melt or explode objects, drop characters into real footage and lip-sync performances to audio — useful if your content benefits from being strange. See our Pika review.
Which one should you pick?
| If you want… | Use | From |
|---|---|---|
| Free daily experimentation | Kling AI | Free |
| Professional editing and control | Runway | $12/mo |
| Best value for regular use | Dreamina | ~$9.60/mo |
| Most natural motion | Luma Dream Machine | Free daily allowance |
| Distinctive creative effects | Pika | $8/mo |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sora still available?
No. The Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on 26 April 2026. The API remains until 24 September 2026, after which it will also be shut down.
Can I still get my Sora videos?
Yes, for now. Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and click Export. OpenAI recommends doing this as soon as possible, because data will be permanently deleted after any final export window.
What happens to credits I bought?
OpenAI has confirmed that purchased ChatGPT and Sora credits can still be used for Codex. For subscription refund questions, OpenAI directs users to its standard ChatGPT refund process.
What is the best alternative to Sora?
For most people, Kling AI if you want a free plan, Runway if you want professional control, or Dreamina if you want the best value. All three are stronger today than Sora was for consumer use.
Sources
This page is based on OpenAI’s own help centre article, What to know about the Sora discontinuation, which confirms the shutdown dates, the export process and the deletion of data.
More from WhatAITools: Runway review, Kling AI review and Dreamina review.
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James is an SEO and content specialist with over 12 years’ experience, and tests AI tools so everyday people don’t have to. WhatAITools.co.uk covers honest, no-jargon reviews to help you find the right tool for your needs.
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