Sora vs Veo
OpenAI discontinued the Sora app on April 26, 2026 and the Sora API on September 24, 2026. Here is what that means, what Veo 3.1 offers and costs, and what else to use now.
Updated
| Sora (OpenAI) | Veo 3.1 (Google) | Ziztu | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued: app on April 26, 2026, API on September 24, 2026 | Available in the Gemini app, Google Flow and the Gemini API | Available; Veo is not one of its models |
| Audio | No longer available | Native audio with the video | Model sound on H3 and Kling clips; music and voice added on the timeline |
| API price | No longer available | $0.05 to $0.60 a second, by tier and resolution | Credits per clip: 50 for 5 s of H3 Max Turbo at 768P, 208 for 5 s of Kling 3.0 Pro at 1080p |
| Free start | No longer available | Not on the Gemini API free tier | 40 trial credits (480p video, watermarked) |
| Your old videos | Export at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset while it is offered | Not applicable | Not applicable |
What happened to Sora
OpenAI's help center, read on 11 October 2026, says:
- The Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on April 26, 2026
- The Sora API was discontinued on September 24, 2026
- Content can be exported from sora.chatgpt.com/sunset; purchased ChatGPT and Sora credits can be used for Codex
So the question most people now have is not "Sora or Veo" but "what replaces Sora". If you made videos in Sora, export them first: OpenAI says it will permanently delete Sora data after any final export window.
What Veo 3.1 offers
Veo is Google DeepMind's video model. Version 3.1 makes video with native audio, so dialogue, effects and ambience come out with the picture. It is in the Gemini app and Google Flow on Google AI plans, and in the Gemini API for developers. From the official pages on 11 October 2026:
- Veo 3.1 makes video with native audio, in the Gemini app, Google Flow and the Gemini API
- Gemini API, per second: Veo 3.1 $0.40 (720p and 1080p) and $0.60 (4K); Veo 3.1 Fast $0.10 (720p), $0.12 (1080p), $0.30 (4K); Veo 3.1 Lite $0.05 (720p), $0.08 (1080p)
- Veo is not on the Gemini API free tier; you are charged only when a video is generated
- Google AI plan prices vary by country
What else to use now
Veo 3.1 is the most direct replacement for realistic, cinematic clips with sound. Other active choices, with their prices on our Sora alternatives page:
- Kling 3.0 for realistic human motion, with native audio on its API.
- Runway for Gen-4.5 plus outside models and editing tools.
- Hailuo for MiniMax H3, cheapest per second on yearly plans.
- Ziztu for anime, short films and music videos: it plans the shots, keeps characters the same with character sheets and edits on one timeline, using H3, Kling, Seedance, Grok and HeyGen's video model. It does not offer Veo.
Sources (checked 11 October 2026)
Every price and limit on this page comes from the official pages below, read on 11 October 2026. Prices change often; check them before you buy. Ziztu's own prices come from its pricing page.
- OpenAI: what to know about the Sora discontinuation (official page, read 11 October 2026)
- Google DeepMind: Veo (official page, read 11 October 2026)
- Gemini API pricing (official page, read 11 October 2026)
- Kling API pricing (official page, read 11 October 2026)
- Runway pricing (official page, read 11 October 2026)
- Hailuo plans (official page, read 11 October 2026)
- Ziztu pricing
Frequently asked questions
Is Sora discontinued?
Yes. OpenAI's help center says the Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API on September 24, 2026.
Can I still download my Sora videos?
OpenAI says you can export your content at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset, and that it will permanently delete Sora data after any final export window. Export as soon as you can.
Is Veo better than Sora?
Sora is no longer available, so the practical choice is between Veo and other active models. Veo 3.1 makes realistic video with native audio and is the closest replacement for cinematic clips with sound.
How much does Veo cost?
In the Gemini API on 11 October 2026, Veo 3.1 cost $0.40 a second at 720p or 1080p and $0.60 at 4K; Veo 3.1 Fast $0.10 to $0.30; Veo 3.1 Lite $0.05 to $0.08. In the Gemini app and Flow it comes with Google AI plans, whose prices vary by country.
Does Ziztu use Veo or Sora?
Neither. Ziztu's video models are MiniMax H3, Kling, Seedance, Grok Imagine and HeyGen Video. New accounts get 40 free credits; plans start at $12 a month for 1,000 credits.
What happened to my Sora credits?
OpenAI says purchased ChatGPT and Sora credits can still be used for Codex. For refunds, it points to its ChatGPT subscription refund article.