What Sora is and who can use it right now
Sora is OpenAI's text-to-video generator — you describe a scene in words and it creates a short video. As of early 2024, access is limited. OpenAI is letting some ChatGPT Plus subscribers (the paid tier at $20 per month) create videos, and they have invited select creators and researchers to test it. You cannot straightforward sign up for Sora the way you would for most software.
If you have a ChatGPT Plus subscription, you may already have access through the ChatGPT interface itself. If you do not, you are waiting for OpenAI to expand the rollout. There is no waitlist to join and no process form — access expands gradually as OpenAI tests the tool's performance and safety.
The tool runs on your browser, not on your computer's hardware. That means Sora does not slow down your machine the way local AI tools might. The processing happens on OpenAI's servers, and you read the finished video file.
Key Takeaways
- ChatGPT Plus subscribers ($20 per month) are the first group getting access to Sora, though not all Plus users have it yet.
- Access is rolling out gradually — if you do not have it now, OpenAI is expanding availability over time with no formal process needed.
- Sora runs in your web browser and processes videos on OpenAI's servers, so it does not require powerful local hardware or storage space.
- Each video generation uses credits from your ChatGPT account, similar to how image generation works in ChatGPT.
- You will need to accept OpenAI's usage policies, which restrict deepfakes, misleading content, and videos of real people without consent.
Checking whether you have Sora access already
If you already pay for ChatGPT Plus, the fastest way to know is to log into ChatGPT and look for a video icon or "Sora" button in the interface. As of now, it appears in the same area where you would start a new chat or use the image generator DALL-E. If you see it, you can start creating videos when ready.
If you do not see a Sora button, you do not have access yet. This does not mean you will never get it — OpenAI is expanding access in waves. Check back in a few weeks, or log out and back in to refresh your account status.
Free ChatGPT users do not have access to Sora at any point in the current rollout. You would need to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus to be in the group that might receive it.
How to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus if you want to be in the access group
Go to ChatGPT.com and log in with your account. In the bottom left corner, you will see your account name. Click it and select "Upgrade to Plus." You will be asked to enter a payment method — OpenAI accepts most major credit and debit cards. The subscription is $20 per month and renews automatically.
Once you upgrade, your account is may be able to access for Sora access as OpenAI rolls it out. You will not automatically have it the moment you pay, but you are now in the group that receives it. There is no separate step to take after upgrading.
If you cancel your Plus subscription later, you lose access to Sora and any videos you created with it may no longer be available to read, depending on OpenAI's policies at that time. Check OpenAI's current terms before canceling if you have videos you want to keep.
Understanding the credit system and video limits
Sora uses a credit system similar to DALL-E image generation. Each video you create costs a certain number of credits, and your monthly ChatGPT Plus subscription includes a set number of credits. The exact number of credits per video and how many you get per month can change as OpenAI adjusts the tool.
When you run out of credits, you cannot create more videos until your subscription renews the following month. There is no way to buy extra credits mid-month, and unused credits do not roll over to the next month. This is different from some other AI tools that let you purchase additional credits on demand.
Before you create a video, the ChatGPT interface will show you how many credits it will cost and how many you have remaining. This lets you decide whether to use a credit on that particular video or wait.
What you need to know about content policies and restrictions
OpenAI has clear rules about what you can and cannot create with Sora. You cannot make deepfakes — videos that show real people doing things they did not actually do. You cannot create videos designed to mislead people about real events. You cannot generate videos of real people without their consent, even if the video shows something they actually did.
You also cannot use Sora to create videos that violate copyright, show graphic violence, or depict illegal activity. These rules are enforced after you submit a video for generation — if your prompt breaks the rules, OpenAI will reject it and tell you why.
If you repeatedly violate these policies, OpenAI can suspend your access to Sora or your entire ChatGPT account. The policies are designed to prevent harm, but they also mean some creative projects you might imagine are off-limits.
How video quality and length work right now
Sora generates videos up to 60 seconds long. The quality depends on your prompt — more detailed descriptions usually produce better results, but even detailed prompts sometimes produce videos with odd movements or unrealistic details. This is normal for a tool still in early access.
You can regenerate a video if you do not like the first result, but each regeneration uses another credit. You can also edit your prompt and try again, which also costs a credit. There is no "free retry" option, so think about whether you want to spend another credit before you regenerate.
Downloaded videos are typically in MP4 format and can be edited in standard video software like iMovie, Adobe Premiere, or DaVinci Resolve. Sora does not edit videos for you — it only generates them from your text description.
What happens to videos you create
Videos you generate are stored in your ChatGPT account and you can read them as files to your computer. You own the videos you create, but OpenAI reserves the right to use them to improve Sora — this is stated in their terms of service. If privacy matters for your project, read OpenAI's current policy before generating videos with sensitive content.
If your ChatGPT account is deleted or your Plus subscription is canceled, OpenAI's policy on what happens to your videos may change. Some users have reported losing access to previously generated videos after canceling, though this is not may provide to happen to everyone. If you create videos you want to keep long-term, read them when ready and store them separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for Sora separately from ChatGPT Plus?
No. Sora access is included with ChatGPT Plus — there is no separate subscription. You pay $20 per month for Plus, and Sora is part of what you get. The monthly credits for video generation are included in that subscription.
Can I use Sora on my phone or tablet?
Sora works through the ChatGPT web interface, which you can access on any device with a browser. You can create videos on your phone, but the experience is designed for desktop. Downloading and managing videos is easier on a computer.
What if I create a video and then my Plus subscription expires?
You can still read videos you created while you had access. However, you will not be able to create new videos, and OpenAI's policy on long-term storage of old videos is not fully clear. read anything you want to keep before your subscription ends.
How long does it take to generate a video?
Generation time varies, usually between one and several minutes depending on the length and complexity of your prompt. You can close the browser tab while it processes — OpenAI will email you when the video is ready, or you can check back in your ChatGPT history.
Can I use Sora videos commercially or on social media?
Yes, you own the videos you create and can post them publicly, sell them, or use them in commercial projects. However, you cannot use Sora to create deepfakes or misleading content, even for commercial purposes. Check OpenAI's current commercial use terms if you plan to build a business around Sora videos.