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Sora alternatives (2026): Sora is shut down — cheapest replacements per usable 30s
OpenAI has shut down Sora: the app and website on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API (Videos API, sora-2, sora-2-pro) on September 24, 2026. OpenAI lists no replacement. If you used Sora, here’s what the main alternatives cost per second, per 30-second try and per usable 30 seconds. Every price comes from a rate ClipCost has already checked on the official pricing page.
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Affiliate disclosure: some links on ClipCost may be affiliate links; if you sign up we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the numbers — every price below comes from the official pages listed under Sources.
Quick answer
Sora is gone. The app shut down on April 26, 2026 and the API on September 24, 2026, and OpenAI names no replacement (checked Nov 8, 2026). On cost, the cheapest alternative ClipCost ranks is Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite · 480p, audio on (xAI API) at $0.02/sec, or $1.80 per usable 30s (#1 of 237). For 720p with audio, Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite (xAI API) and LTX-2.3 Fast (LTX API) are both $2.70 usable (#8=), and Veo 3.1 Lite is $4.50 (#39=). Flagship models cost more: Veo 3.1 Standard with audio is $36.00. ClipCost has no current Sora price because Sora can’t be bought any more.
Basis: usable = 3 attempts (1 + 2 retries). The $/sec figures are the verified rates in ClipCost’s data file. Credit-based apps use the plan basis shown on each tool page; APIs are pay-as-you-go. Ranks are the site-wide usable-30s sort used by the calculator (237 ranked rates). This is cost only, not a quality ranking.
Sora shutdown timeline (verified)
| Date | What happened | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2026 | OpenAI notified developers that the Videos API and all Sora 2 model aliases/snapshots are deprecated, with removal set for Sep 24, 2026. | OpenAI API deprecations page |
| Apr 26, 2026 | Sora web and app experiences discontinued (“the Sora product is no longer available”). | OpenAI Help Center; openai.com/index/sora |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Sora API discontinued: Videos API, sora-2, sora-2-pro, sora-2-2025-10-06, sora-2-2025-12-08, sora-2-pro-2025-10-06 shut down. | OpenAI API deprecations page; Help Center |
| Replacement | None listed — the deprecations table shows “—” in the Recommended replacement column for every Sora row. | OpenAI API deprecations page |
| Your data | Export at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset; OpenAI says Sora data is permanently deleted after any final export window. Purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex. | OpenAI Help Center |
Cheapest alternatives with audio (720p)
Use this table if you need audio generated with the video. Each row is labelled audio on / with audio / native audio in ClipCost’s data.
| Rank of 237 | Model · setting | Where (tool page) | $/sec | 30s try | Usable 30s (2 retries) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8= | Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite · 720p, audio on (xAI API) | xAI API (Grok Imagine) | $0.03 | $0.90 | $2.70 |
| 8= | LTX-2.3 Fast · 720p, audio on (LTX API) | LTX API (Lightricks) | $0.03 | $0.90 | $2.70 |
| 39= | Veo 3.1 Lite · 720p with audio | Veo 3.1 (Google API) | $0.05 | $1.50 | $4.50 |
| 39= | Wan 2.6 Flash · 720p, with audio, image-to-video (Alibaba Cloud API) | Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Wan API) | $0.05 | $1.50 | $4.50 |
| 47 | PixVerse V6 · 720p, audio on (PixVerse API) | PixVerse API | $0.0533 | $1.60 | $4.80 |
| 87= | Kling 3.0 · 720p, native audio | Kling AI | $0.09 | $2.70 | $8.10 |
| 97= | Veo 3.1 Fast · 720p with audio | Veo 3.1 (Google API) | $0.10 | $3.00 | $9.00 |
| 131 | Kling 3.0 · 720p, native audio (Kling API) | Kling API (Kling's own developer API) | $0.126 | $3.78 | $11.34 |
| 137= | Grok Imagine 1.5 · 720p, audio on (xAI API) | xAI API (Grok Imagine) | $0.14 | $4.20 | $12.60 |
| 220= | Veo 3.1 Standard · 720p/1080p with audio | Veo 3.1 (Google API) | $0.40 | $12.00 | $36.00 |
Cheapest usable 30s by model family
The lowest-cost setting we price for each family (any resolution, audio or not). Good for drafts, B-roll and testing prompts.
| Rank of 237 | Model · setting | Where (tool page) | $/sec | 30s try | Usable 30s (2 retries) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite · 480p, audio on (xAI API) | xAI API (Grok Imagine) | $0.02 | $0.60 | $1.80 |
| 2 | PixVerse V6 · 360p, audio off (PixVerse API) | PixVerse API | $0.0222 | $0.67 | $2.00 |
| 3= | MiniMax H3-Lite API · 480P | MiniMax / Hailuo | $0.025 | $0.75 | $2.25 |
| 3= | Ray3.2 · 540p (Dream Machine) | Luma (Ray) | $0.025 | $0.75 | $2.25 |
| 3= | Wan 2.6 Flash · 720p, no audio, image-to-video (Alibaba Cloud API) | Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Wan API) | $0.025 | $0.75 | $2.25 |
| 8= | Kling 2.6 · Standard mode, no audio | Kling AI | $0.03 | $0.90 | $2.70 |
| 8= | Veo 3.1 Lite · 720p, no audio (Vertex AI) | Veo 3.1 (Google API) | $0.03 | $0.90 | $2.70 |
| 16 | Gemini Omni Flash · 360p (Gemini/Vertex) | Veo 3.1 (Google API) | $0.0338 | $1.01 | $3.04 |
| 18 | Vidu Q3 Turbo API · 540p | Vidu | $0.035 | $1.05 | $3.15 |
| 21 | Seedance 2.0 Mini API · 480p (no video input) | Seedance (ByteDance / BytePlus) | $0.036 | $1.08 | $3.24 |
| 51= | FLUX 3 Draft · HD, audio on (BFL API / Playground) | Black Forest Labs (FLUX 3) | $0.06 | $1.80 | $5.40 |
| 91 | Kling 4.0 Flash · 720p, no input video (Kling API) | Kling API (Kling's own developer API) | $0.094 | $2.82 | $8.46 |
| 93= | Gen-4 Turbo | Runway | $0.096 | $2.88 | $8.64 |
Flagship tier: what top models cost
Each lab’s top general model at a high resolution, for when Sora-level quality matters more than price.
| Rank of 237 | Model · setting | Where (tool page) | $/sec | 30s try | Usable 30s (2 retries) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 133= | MiniMax H3 API · 2K | MiniMax / Hailuo | $0.13 | $3.90 | $11.70 |
| 171= | Ray3.2 · 1080p (Dream Machine) | Luma (Ray) | $0.20 | $6.00 | $18.00 |
| 175= | Gen-4.5 | Runway | $0.2304 | $6.91 | $20.74 |
| 181 | Kling 4.0 · 1080p, no input video (Kling API) | Kling API (Kling's own developer API) | $0.235 | $7.05 | $21.15 |
| 190= | Grok Imagine 1.5 · 1080p, audio on (xAI API) | xAI API (Grok Imagine) | $0.25 | $7.50 | $22.50 |
| 220= | Veo 3.1 Standard · 720p/1080p with audio | Veo 3.1 (Google API) | $0.40 | $12.00 | $36.00 |
| 229 | Seedance 2.5 API · 1080p (no video input) | Seedance (ByteDance / BytePlus) | $0.5686 | $17.06 | $51.17 |
Migration checklist (Sora API users)
- Export first. Download anything you still need from sora.chatgpt.com/sunset. OpenAI says the data is deleted after any final export window.
- Price per usable second, not per try. Most clips need retries. ClipCost counts 3 attempts, so a $0.10/sec model costs $9.00 per usable 30s, not $3.00.
- Check clip length limits. Most alternatives make short clips, so a 30-second video means stitching several generations together. Each tool page lists its maximum clip length.
- Audio is a paid toggle on many APIs. Veo 3.1, Kling, PixVerse and Wan charge different rates with and without audio. Compare the right rows.
- Plans and APIs are different balances. App credits and API credits are usually separate balances (Runway says so outright). See which storefront to pick where to buy.
Which to pick (on cost)
- Cheapest anything: Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite 480p (Grok Imagine cost), $1.80 usable 30s.
- Cheapest 720p with audio: Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite 720p or LTX-2.3 Fast 720p (LTX API pricing), $2.70.
- Google ecosystem: Veo 3.1 Lite 720p with audio, $4.50. Fast is $9.00 and Standard $36.00 (Veo 3.1 cost).
- Kling: Kling 3.0 720p with native audio on Kling’s app, $8.10 (Kling 3.0 cost). Kling 4.0 is priced on the Kling 4.0 page.
- Creative suite with editing tools: Runway Gen-4.5 (Gen-4.5 cost) or Luma Ray3.2 (Luma cost).
Related: calculator · Compare · Cheapest AI video generator · Cheapest AI video API · AI video API pricing · AI video pricing comparison · 1 minute of AI video cost · Seedance 2.5 cost · MiniMax Hailuo cost · PixVerse cost · FAQ.
Sources (checked Nov 8, 2026, about 9am Central)
- OpenAI Help Center — What to know about the Sora discontinuation: web/app discontinued April 26, 2026; API discontinued September 24, 2026; export at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset; deletion after any final export window; purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits usable for Codex.
- OpenAI API deprecations: “2026-03-24: Sora 2 video generation models and Videos API”. Shutdown date 2026-09-24 for the Videos API, sora-2, sora-2-pro and snapshots; no recommended replacement.
- openai.com/index/sora: “As of April 26, 2026, the Sora product is no longer available.”
- xAI API (Grok Imagine) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- LTX API (Lightricks) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Veo 3.1 (Google API) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Wan API) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- PixVerse API official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Kling AI official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Kling API (Kling's own developer API) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- MiniMax / Hailuo official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Luma (Ray) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Vidu official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Seedance (ByteDance / BytePlus) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Black Forest Labs (FLUX 3) official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
- Runway official pricing: rates as verified in ClipCost data (see the tool page for the check date and details).
FAQ
Is Sora shut down?
Yes. OpenAI's Help Center (checked Nov 8, 2026) says the Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on April 26, 2026 and the Sora API on September 24, 2026. OpenAI's API deprecations page lists the Videos API, sora-2, sora-2-pro and their dated snapshots with a September 24, 2026 shutdown date, announced to developers on March 24, 2026.
Did OpenAI recommend a replacement for the Sora API?
No. On OpenAI's API deprecations page the Recommended replacement column is blank (a dash) for the Videos API and every Sora 2 model. So you have to move to another provider. ClipCost compares those on cost only: per second, per 30-second try, and per usable 30 seconds with 2 retries.
What is the cheapest Sora alternative?
On ClipCost's usable-30s ranking (237 rates), the cheapest is Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite · 480p, audio on (xAI API) at $0.02/sec, so $0.60 per 30s try and $1.80 per usable 30s (#1). Close behind: PixVerse V6 360p with audio off ($2.00, #2), then MiniMax H3-Lite 480P, Luma Ray3.2 540p and Wan 2.6 Flash 720p (no audio, image-to-video), all tied at $2.25 (#3=). These are low-resolution or no-audio settings, so check the tables for 720p with audio.
What is the cheapest Sora alternative with audio at 720p?
Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite 720p with audio on the xAI API and LTX-2.3 Fast 720p with audio on the LTX API are both $0.03/sec, or $2.70 per usable 30s (#8= of 237). Next: Veo 3.1 Lite 720p with audio at $4.50 (#39=), PixVerse V6 720p with audio on at $4.80, Kling 3.0 720p with native audio on Kling's app at $8.10, Veo 3.1 Fast 720p with audio at $9.00, and Veo 3.1 Standard with audio at $36.00.
I used the Sora API. Which video APIs bill per second?
Pay-as-you-go video APIs already priced on ClipCost include the xAI API (Grok Imagine), Google Vertex AI / Gemini (Veo 3.1, Gemini Omni Flash), the Kling API, BytePlus ModelArk (Seedance), MiniMax, the LTX API, the PixVerse API, Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Wan, HappyHorse), the Vidu API, the Luma API and the Runway API. You'll need to rewrite request code and check that the new provider supports the durations, resolution and audio you used before. See the cheapest AI video API page for the full API ranking.
Can I still get my Sora videos and credits back?
OpenAI's Help Center says you can export Sora content at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset (you get an email when it's ready). It recommends exporting as soon as possible, because Sora data will be permanently deleted after any final export window. For refunds, OpenAI points to its ChatGPT subscription refund article. Purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex.