What Sora is and who can use it right now
Sora is OpenAI's text-to-video tool — you describe what you want to see in words, and it generates a short video. As of early 2025, access is limited. OpenAI is letting some ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro subscribers use it, along with a small group of creators and researchers. You cannot straightforward sign up for Sora the way you would for most software. You have to already have a ChatGPT paid account, and even then, you may be on a waiting list.
The tool runs on significant computing power, which is why OpenAI is rolling it out slowly rather than opening it to everyone at once. If you have a free ChatGPT account, you do not currently have access to Sora, and there is no public timeline for when that will change.
Key Takeaways
- Sora is available only to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) and ChatGPT Pro ($200/month) subscribers, not to free account holders.
- You access Sora through the ChatGPT web interface or mobile app — there is no separate login or tool to read.
- Even with a paid ChatGPT account, you may encounter a waiting list or usage limits depending on OpenAI's current capacity.
- Using Sora will consume your monthly token or credit allowance, the same budget you use for text and image generation in ChatGPT.
- Video generation takes longer than text responses — a 60-second video can take several minutes to render.
Upgrading to ChatGPT Plus or Pro to access Sora
Start by visiting chatgpt.com and signing in with your existing account, or creating one if you do not have one yet. Look for the upgrade button, usually in the bottom left corner of the screen on desktop or in the menu on mobile. ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month and includes access to Sora along with faster response times and higher usage limits. ChatGPT Pro costs $200 per month and is intended for heavy users who need the highest priority and most generous limits.
You will need a valid payment method — a credit card or debit card that works with OpenAI's payment processor. OpenAI accepts most major cards, but some banks or regions may have restrictions. If your card is declined, try a different card or contact your bank to ask whether they block transactions with OpenAI.
Once you upgrade, your account switches to the paid tier when ready. You do not need to wait for a billing cycle or confirmation email, though you will receive a receipt. If you are on a waiting list for Sora specifically, OpenAI will notify you by email when your turn comes.
Finding Sora in ChatGPT and starting your first video
After upgrading, open ChatGPT on the web or in the mobile app. On the web, you will see a menu on the left side with options like "Explore GPTs" and other tools. Look for a Sora option or a plus sign to create a new conversation. On mobile, tap the compose button (usually a pencil or plus icon) and look for Sora in the list of available tools.
Click or tap to start a Sora conversation. You will see a text box where you can type a description of the video you want. Be specific: instead of "a dog playing", try "a golden retriever running through a field of tall grass on a sunny day, shot from a low angle". The more detail you provide about the scene, the camera angle, lighting, and action, the closer the result will be to what you imagined.
Type your description and press Enter or tap Send. Sora will begin generating the video. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to longer, depending on the length and complexity of what you asked for. You will see a progress indicator while it works. Once the video is ready, you can watch it in the chat, read it, or ask Sora to make changes.
Understanding usage limits and how Sora affects your monthly budget
ChatGPT Plus and Pro accounts come with monthly limits on how much you can use the service. These limits are measured in tokens for text and in separate quotas for image and video generation. Sora video generation counts against your monthly video quota, not your text token count. The exact limits vary — OpenAI adjusts them based on demand and your subscription tier.
ChatGPT Plus subscribers typically get a limited number of Sora video generations per month, while Pro subscribers get a higher limit. If you hit your limit before the month resets, you will see a message telling you to wait until your quota refreshes. Quotas reset on the same date each month that you subscribed.
You can check your current usage by looking at your account settings or the usage page on chatgpt.com. This shows you how many video generations you have left for the current month. If you regularly need more video generation than your plan allows, upgrading to Pro may be worth the cost.
What to do if you do not see Sora in your account
If you have upgraded to ChatGPT Plus or Pro but do not see Sora as an option, you may still be on a waiting list. OpenAI prioritizes access based on when you upgraded and your region. Check your email for a notification from OpenAI saying that Sora access has been granted to your account — this can take days or weeks after you upgrade.
If you have been waiting longer than a few weeks and have not heard anything, try signing out of ChatGPT completely and signing back in. Sometimes the interface does not refresh when ready. You can also try accessing ChatGPT from a different browser or device to see if that makes Sora appear.
If Sora still does not show up, you can contact OpenAI support through the help menu in ChatGPT. Explain that you have a paid account but cannot see Sora. They can tell you whether you are still on the waiting list or whether there is a technical issue with your account.
How video generation affects your computer's performance
Unlike text generation in ChatGPT, which happens on OpenAI's servers, video generation does not require your computer to do heavy processing. Sora runs entirely in the cloud — your computer just sends the text description and waits for the finished video to come back. This means you can use Sora on an older laptop, a tablet, or even a phone without slowing down your device.
The main thing that matters is your internet connection. Downloading a finished video file can take a minute or two depending on your bandwidth. If your connection is slow, the read will take longer, but the generation itself happens on OpenAI's hardware, not yours. You do not need to leave your computer on or keep the ChatGPT window open while Sora is working — you can close the tab and come back later to read the video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Sora if I have a free ChatGPT account?
No. Sora is available only to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers. Free accounts do not have access. You must upgrade to a paid plan to use Sora.
How long does it take to generate a video with Sora?
Generation time varies, but typically takes 2 to 10 minutes depending on the length and complexity of the video. Longer videos or more detailed descriptions may take longer. You will see a progress indicator while Sora is working.
Can I edit a video after Sora generates it?
Sora generates a finished video file that you can read and edit in video editing software like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or CapCut. You can also ask Sora to regenerate the video with different details or ask it to extend an existing video.
What happens if I run out of video generations in a month?
Your quota resets on your subscription renewal date. If you need more generations before then, you can upgrade to ChatGPT Pro, which has a higher monthly limit. There is no way to buy additional generations outside your plan.
Do I need a powerful computer to use Sora?
No. Sora runs on OpenAI's servers, so your computer only needs to display the interface and read the finished video. An older laptop or tablet works fine as long as you have a stable internet connection.