OpenAI announced on March 24, 2026 that it is shutting down Sora. Here is everything we know, updated as new information becomes available.
The Basics
What exactly is shutting down?
Everything. The Sora iOS app, the Sora API, and the Sora.com web experience will all be discontinued. OpenAI has not announced specific dates yet but said they will share timeline details soon.
When will Sora actually stop working?
OpenAI has not given an exact shutdown date as of March 27, 2026. They stated they would "share more details including timelines for the app and API and details on preserving user work." Check OpenAI's blog for official updates.
Why is OpenAI shutting down Sora?
OpenAI has not given a single explicit reason, but multiple factors are clear:
- Compute economics: Video generation is GPU-intensive. OpenAI is reallocating compute to "more lucrative coding, reasoning or text-generation tasks."
- Declining engagement: App analytics showed month-over-month declines in both installs and user spending in early 2026.
- Strategic refocus: OpenAI stated the Sora research team will focus on "world simulation research to advance robotics."
- Pre-IPO optimization: Shutting down unprofitable products ahead of an anticipated IPO.
What happened with the Disney deal?
Disney had reached a three-year partnership deal with OpenAI in December 2025 and planned a $1 billion investment. That deal is not proceeding. No money ever changed hands. Disney stated it "respects OpenAI's decision to exit the video generation business."
Your Content and Data
Can I still download my Sora videos?
OpenAI said they are "exploring ways to support export and preservation of user content from the app." We strongly recommend downloading ALL your content immediately -- do not wait for the official shutdown date.
Will my Sora videos be deleted?
Unknown. OpenAI has not clarified data retention policies post-shutdown. Assume the worst: download everything now.
What format are Sora exports?
Sora exports are MP4 files. These are standard video files playable on any device and editable in any video software.
What about my Sora subscription?
OpenAI has not announced refund policies. If you have an active paid subscription, monitor your payment method and contact OpenAI support directly.
The API
I built an app using the Sora API. Now what?
The Sora API will be discontinued. If your product depends on Sora for video generation, you need a migration plan now. Alternatives with APIs include:
| Provider | API Available | Video Type | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Yes | Raw clips | $0.05/sec generated |
| Kling AI | Yes | Raw clips | Pay per generation |
| Google Veo | Yes (via Vertex AI) | Raw clips | Usage-based |
| Pika | Yes | Raw clips | Usage-based |
| MultiTake | Coming soon | Full videos | TBD |
Are the Sora API endpoints still live?
As of March 27, 2026, yes -- but do not build anything new against them. Plan your migration.
Finding an Alternative
What is the closest alternative to Sora?
It depends on what you used Sora for.
If you used Sora to generate raw video clips (text-to-video, no script, no merging):
- Kling AI v3.0 is the closest in quality and motion coherence
- Runway Gen-4.5 scores higher than Sora on quality benchmarks
- Google Veo 3.2 offers the best cinematic realism (4K, 60fps)
If you used Sora to create complete videos (and manually edited clips together):
- MultiTake handles the entire pipeline automatically: idea, script, scenes, clips, merging -- no editing required
- Free tier with 10 clips per day, watermark-free
How does pricing compare?
| Platform | Price/Month | Clips Included | Cost Per Clip | Finished Video? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sora (was) | $20 | 50 | $4.00 | No (raw clips) |
| Runway | $12-$76 | 25-unlimited | $0.48-$1.50 | No (raw clips) |
| Pika | $8-$58 | Varies | $0.40-$1.40 | No (raw clips) |
| Kling | $5-$35 | Varies | $0.67 | No (raw clips) |
| MultiTake | Free-$79 | 10/day free, up to 2000 | $0.04-$0.20 | Yes (full video) |
What features did Sora have that alternatives don't?
Sora's unique features included:
- Social feed / remixing: No direct replacement. Most creators said they did not want this anyway.
- Image-to-video: Available on Runway, Kling, Pika, and Google Veo.
- Text-to-video: Available on all major alternatives.
- Style references: Available on Runway and Kling.
Features Sora did NOT have that alternatives do:
- Script generation: MultiTake writes your script
- Auto-merging scenes: MultiTake assembles clips into a finished video
- AI narration/voiceover: MultiTake includes text-to-speech
- Templates and themes: MultiTake offers 100+ templates
Taking Action
What should I do right now?
- Download all your Sora content immediately. Do not wait.
- Export your favorite prompts. Save the text prompts you used -- they can be adapted for other tools.
- Test alternatives on their free tiers before committing:
- MultiTake -- free, 10 clips/day, full pipeline
- Runway -- free trial available
- Pika -- free tier available
- Kling -- free tier available
- Do not sign annual plans until you have tested a tool for at least a week.
- If you built on the Sora API, start your migration plan today.
Is this a sign that AI video is dying?
No. The opposite. The AI video market is projected at $946 million in 2026, growing to $3.4 billion by 2033. Sora did not fail because AI video failed. Sora failed because:
- Raw clip generation alone is not a viable product
- The compute costs did not justify the revenue
- Users wanted finished videos, not a social network for AI clips
The tools that focus on delivering complete, usable output at sustainable prices will thrive. Sora's shutdown is a correction, not a collapse.
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Start Free →Have a question we did not cover? Email us at hello@multitake.in. We will keep this FAQ updated as OpenAI releases more information.
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