Sora's web and app experiences were discontinued 26 April 2026, and its API is discontinued 24 September 2026, essentially now. If you have existing Sora content, export it immediately at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset; OpenAI will permanently delete Sora data once any final export window closes. Purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits can still be used for Codex. Don't start a new project on Sora; use a currently supported video model instead.
Other good fits
Understanding what happened to a discontinued product, as a documented example, not a tool to build with.
+ Pros
Read pros
Nothing new. Sora's web and app experiences were discontinued on 26 April 2026, and OpenAI's own documentation states the Sora API is discontinued on 24 September 2026. If you're reading this after that date, treat the API as fully gone. This entry exists so the discontinuation is visible and documented, not to recommend starting anything on Sora.
If you have existing Sora content…
Export it now at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset; OpenAI states it will email you when the export is ready.
If OpenAI offers a final export window after the discontinuation date, they'll notify you by email before it begins; don't wait for that notification before starting your export.
After discontinuation, and after any final export window closes, OpenAI states it will permanently delete data associated with your Sora use.
− Cons
Read cons
A discontinued API with a stated end date is unsuitable for any new, durable integration, full stop; don't build against it even temporarily. Anything you do export still needs the same human review any generated media needs: rights, factual accuracy, captions and disclosure don't resolve themselves just because the content is now safely downloaded.
Pick something else when…
You need any new video-generation project. Everything here applies: use a currently supported model instead.
You're deciding between remaining hosted video options. Check Veo or Runway on their own current terms, access and limits before choosing.
You need a self-hosted route instead of another hosted API.Wan is a documented self-hosted alternative worth checking.
Avoid if
You haven't yet exported existing Sora content; do that now, don't wait.
Context
This is a legacy record kept for documentation, not a current production video platform. Nothing about Sora should be presented as an active choice for a new project.
Requirements
Exporting existing content requires an eligible prior Sora account and access to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset. There's no new-project API path to document, since the API itself is discontinued.
Licence & cost
There's no new Sora pricing to document, since the product is discontinued. If you have unused purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits, OpenAI states they can still be used for Codex instead. For refund questions, OpenAI directs users to its general ChatGPT subscription refund process.
First task
Documentation-based suggestion — not run here.
If you have existing Sora content, export it; don't start anything new.
Go to sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and start the export process for any content you created.
Wait for OpenAI's email confirming the export is ready, and download it promptly.
Review the exported content's rights, captions and disclosure status before reusing it anywhere, since none of that changes just because you exported it.
Done when you've exported and downloaded anything you need to keep, before data is permanently deleted.
Links & evidence
Documentation-based · not hands-on · Sep 23, 2026
Rests on OpenAI's official Sora discontinuation notice (viewed in a browser; the page 403s to automated fetch but is reachable and was read directly), checked 23 September 2026. No Sora account, API request, generation or export was performed for this review.
OpenAI Sora discontinuation notice · Sep 23, 2026 — Web/app discontinued 26 April 2026, API discontinued 24 September 2026, export via sora.chatgpt.com/sunset, permanent deletion after any final export window, credits usable for Codex.
OpenAI usage policies · Sep 23, 2026 — Current policy source for any retained or exported generated media.
OpenAI Help Center · Sep 23, 2026 — Account-support entry point for export and billing questions.
Further review notes & alternatives
Alternatives and trade-offs
Veo wins as a currently supported hosted video option; check its own current access and terms rather than assuming continuity with Sora.
Runway wins as another currently supported managed video platform with its own pricing and workflow.
Wan wins when a self-hosted route is preferred over depending on another hosted API's continuity.
Discontinued. OpenAI closed the Sora web and app experiences on 26 April 2026 and the Sora API on 24 September 2026. Export any content you still need; use Veo, Runway or Kling for new video work.