This status guide is written by the SelfyzAI team. As of November 2, 2026, we verified OpenAI's official Sora discontinuation notice and compared it with the outdated review and “free Sora” claims still visible in search. In short, Sora is no longer a current OpenAI video-generation workflow, so the practical task is exporting old content and choosing an available tool for new projects.
Need a video generator that is available now?
SelfyzAI provides current text, image, and reference-based video workflows with several named models in one workspace.
Is the Sora AI Video Generator Still Available?
No. OpenAI's official notice states that the Sora web and app experience ended on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API ended on September 24, 2026. That makes many current Sora reviews historical rather than buying guidance for an active product.
Sora 2 Is Dead
Pages and videos may use “Sora 2” to describe the later Sora experience, a review topic, or a third-party gateway. That naming does not create a current OpenAI generation route after the web/app and API shutdowns.
When evaluating a page, separate the model name from the service operator. Check who runs the site, which terms apply, where uploaded files go, and whether the page links to a current primary source.
Free Access Claims Need a Date and Operator
“Free” can mean a demo, a limited third-party trial, a recycled article, or an unrelated tool using Sora as a keyword. It cannot mean active official OpenAI Sora generation after the documented discontinuation dates.
Please DO NOT TRUST any pages indicating offering "Free Sora" at present. OpenAI discontinued the Sora API on September 24, 2026. Existing integrations therefore need another active generation provider rather than a new API key or plan.
Existing Content Faces a Deletion Deadline
OpenAI advises users to export content as soon as possible and says Sora-associated data will be permanently deleted after any final export period. Anyone who still has access to the sunset export route should prioritize recovery over new experimentation.
Credits Do Not Restore Sora Generation
OpenAI says purchased Sora-associated credits can be used for Codex, but they do not reopen a current Sora video workflow. For new video work, evaluate an active service and review its current pricing rather than treating old Sora credits as video capacity.
How to Export Existing Sora Content
OpenAI's sunset guidance focuses on exporting existing content before deletion.
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Use the Sora sunset page identified in OpenAI's discontinuation notice and sign in with the account that created the content.
Done whenThe official export interface opens under the expected account.
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Check generated videos, images, prompts, storyboards, and project files. Do not assume that an item stored elsewhere is the latest version.
Done whenEvery asset that may be needed has been identified.
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Download the available source-quality files and keep their original names where possible. Save prompts or project notes separately if they are not included.
Done whenThe files open correctly outside Sora.
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Play each video, confirm file size and duration, and keep a second copy in another storage location.
Done whenTwo verified copies exist outside the Sora service.
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Record the input files, aspect ratio, duration, and creative intent needed to continue the project in another tool.
Done whenA new service can receive the project without reconstructing the brief from memory.
Sora Status vs a Current SelfyzAI Workflow
The meaningful 2026 comparison is availability and workflow continuity, not an output-quality contest with a discontinued service.
| Decision | Sora | SelfyzAI |
|---|---|---|
| Web or app generation | Ended April 26, 2026 | Current video workspace available |
| API generation | Ended September 24, 2026 | Web workflows currently available |
| Primary task now | Export existing content | Create and continue new projects |
| Input paths | No current workflow | Text, image, and references |
| Longer-video path | No current generation | Extension and story workflows |
SelfyzAI Is the Practical Choice
Our platform is the practical choice when a new project needs an available workspace, named video models, and AI Video generators. Model-specific credits, duration, and resolution still need to be checked before generation.
Our editorial score weights current availability at 30%, workflow coverage at 30%, control at 20%, and value transparency at 20%. It measures our documented suitability for new 2026 work, not a retrospective score for Sora's former output.
Our verdict
Choose an active multi-workflow platform for new video work after Sora's shutdown.
The current workspace provides text, image, reference, motion, extension, and enhancement paths for projects that can no longer begin in Sora.
Pros
- Current access
- Multiple workflows
- Named models
Start a new video project with the input path and model that match your source material.
Explore current video toolsSelfyZ offers multiple models for you to choose during generation workflow, including Kling 4.0, MiniMax H3, Seedance 2.5, etc.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sora AI video generator still available?
No. OpenAI discontinued the Sora web and app experience on April 26, 2026 and ended the API on September 24, 2026.
Is the Sora AI video generator free in 2026?
There is no current official OpenAI Sora generation service to classify as free or paid. Pages advertising free Sora generation should be checked for their actual operator and current terms.
What happened to the Sora 2 AI video generator?
“Sora 2” remains a search and review term, but OpenAI's official notice covers the end of the Sora consumer experience and API. A current page using that label is not automatically an official OpenAI service.
Can I still export my Sora videos?
OpenAI directs users to the Sora sunset export route and recommends exporting as soon as possible. Availability may be time-limited because associated data is scheduled for deletion after the final export period.
Can I still use purchased Sora credits?
OpenAI says purchased credits can be used for Codex. They do not restore Sora video generation after the service shutdown.
Conclusion
Sora is now a historical AI video product rather than a current buying option. The consumer experience ended in April 2026, the API ended in September 2026, and remaining users should export content before the final deletion window closes.
For new projects, choose an active workflow based on the material you already have: text, an image, references, or an existing clip that needs extension. Our platform provides those current paths, while still requiring creators to check model-specific credits and output limits before production.