Is Sora Shut Down? Sora App and API Shutdown Dates, Exports and Alternatives (October 2026)

Yes, Sora is shut down. OpenAI discontinued the Sora web and app experiences on April 26, 2026 and the Sora API on September 24, 2026 (OpenAI Help Center). You can still export your old videos at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset until OpenAI closes the final export window. OpenAI has not named a replacement, so you need a different video tool.

When did Sora shut down?

OpenAI’s Help Center gives two dates and nothing in between:

Product	Shutdown date	Source
Sora web and app	April 26, 2026	OpenAI Help Center
Sora API (Videos API, sora-2, sora-2-pro and their snapshots)	September 24, 2026	OpenAI deprecations

OpenAI notified API developers on March 24, 2026. Its deprecations table lists “—” as the recommended replacement for every Sora model, meaning there is no OpenAI video model to switch to. If you built on the API, see our developer guide: Sora API shutdown: how to migrate.

Can you still download your Sora videos?

Yes, for now. OpenAI says: “You can export content you created in Sora by going to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and clicking on Export. You’ll get an email when it’s ready.”

Two points to note:

• There may be one more deadline. OpenAI says that after Sora is discontinued “and after the period of time of any final export window passes (if we are able to offer one), we will permanently delete any data associated with your use of Sora”. It promises an email before a final export window begins.
• Export now rather than later. OpenAI’s own advice is to “export your Sora content as soon as possible”.

What happens to your Sora credits and subscription?

OpenAI sends refund questions to its ChatGPT subscription refund article and adds that “any purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex, if you so choose” (OpenAI Help Center). Your ChatGPT plan itself keeps running. To check what each plan still includes, see ChatGPT plans compared.

What can you use instead of Sora?

No single tool matches Sora feature for feature. These are the main official options in October 2026, checked on each vendor’s own pages:

Tool	Best for	Key differences	Official page
Google Veo 3.1 (Google Flow, Gemini API)	Short clips with native audio	Lite, Fast and Quality tiers; first and last frame control; video extension (Lite only in Flow)	Flow models
Gemini Omni Flash	Editing a clip by chatting	Google’s default video model in the Gemini API; 4–10 second clips; video-to-video editing	Gemini API video
Kling 4.0	Longer single takes and many references	Up to 30 seconds per generation, up to 10 keyframes, up to 15 reference assets	Kling 4.0 guide
Runway Gen-4.5	Creative teams that also edit	Runway’s own model plus third-party models (Kling, Seedance, MiniMax) in one app	Runway changelog
Luma Ray3.2 (Luma App)	Keyframe control and reworking existing footage	Up to 16 keyframes; Modify Video for existing clips; HDR output	Luma official info

Each of these tools sells usage on its own plans or credits. Compare them on the official pricing page linked from each vendor’s site; we don’t list amounts here.

Which Sora alternative should you pick?

• You liked typing a prompt and getting a clip with sound: start with Veo 3.1 in Google Flow. Google’s Google AI plans page lists video generation in the Gemini app on the paid Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra plans: Pro includes a limited trial of Veo 3.1 Lite, and Ultra lists video generation with Veo 3.1. Google also notes that Flow features vary by plan, platform and region, so check the page for your country.
• You need one long continuous shot: Kling 4.0 generates up to 30 seconds natively, per its user guide.
• You want to animate your own images: see how to turn a photo into a video with AI.
• You need an API: Sora’s API is gone. Read how to migrate off the Sora API.

For a side-by-side of the three main options, see Veo 3.1 vs Kling vs Runway. If you want to try before paying, see what free AI video plans include.

Is Luma Dream Machine an alternative?

Not under that name. Luma’s own information page says the current video model is Ray3.2 and that Dream Machine and Ray2 are “deprecated”. The product is now the Luma App (Luma).

Why did OpenAI shut down Sora?

OpenAI’s Help Center article covers dates, exports, deletion and refunds, but it does not give a reason. We have not found an official statement that explains the decision. Treat any reason you read elsewhere as unconfirmed unless it links to OpenAI.

What should you do now?

1. Export your Sora videos at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset.
2. Note which Sora features you actually used: text-to-video, image-to-video or remixing.
3. Pick a replacement from the table above, and read its terms on commercial use before you publish anything.

More options by use case are in our AI video tools hub.