Sora Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Sora was OpenAI's AI video app and model, and a lot of people tried it as their first taste of making video from a written prompt. OpenAI has closed Sora, and its own pages say the product is no longer available. Its help centre has an article called What to know about the Sora discontinuation that covers what happens to what you made. If you're now looking for somewhere else to make video, you've got plenty of choice.

Here are ten Sora alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some are big names from large companies and some are smaller challengers, and one is open source. I've taken every description from each tool's own website, so check the current details there before you sign up. If you're new to this area, my guide to generative AI video tools for business is a gentler place to start.

Sora alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan, free credits or open-source software. Trial only means a free trial without an ongoing free plan. No means the pages I read state neither. Offers change often, so confirm on the site itself.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Google Veo	Video model	Text-to-video with generated sound, through Google tools	No
Hailuo AI	Video and image platform	Video and image generation from MiniMax models	No
Kling AI	Video and image generator	Video and image generation with a project canvas	No
Krea	Creative suite	Text-to-video, motion transfer and upscaling	Yes
Luma	Creative workspace	Images, video and audio on one canvas	Trial only
Pika	Creative platform	Video, image and soundtrack studios	Yes
PixVerse	Video platform	Text and image to video, plus ad tools	No
Pollo AI	Multi-model studio	Many video models behind one login	Yes
Runway	Video suite	Video, image and audio creation in one workspace	Yes
Wan	Open model and app	Open-source video models you can run yourself	Yes

Ten AI video tools to try now that Sora is closing

Google Veo

Best for: People who want clips with sound effects and dialogue, reached through the Gemini app, Flow or other Google tools.

Hailuo AI

Best for: Creators who want a dedicated video and image site built around MiniMax's own models.

Kling AI

Best for: Creators who like a canvas for organising scenes, plus an API if they want to build on it later.

Krea

Best for: Designers who want video generation alongside upscaling and style tools in one creative suite.

Luma

Best for: People who like working on an open canvas where an assistant helps with images, video and audio.

Pika

Best for: Newcomers who want separate studios for video, images and music in a single place.

PixVerse

Best for: Marketers who want text and image to video, a canvas for workflows and tools aimed at video ads.

Pollo AI

Best for: Anyone who wants to try several video models from one account instead of joining a site for each.

Runway

Best for: Creators who want a long-running suite for video, images and audio with apps for phone and web.

Wan

Best for: Technical users who like open model files they can run themselves, with an app for everyone else.

What to look for when you replace Sora for video work

Start with the job you did most in Sora. Short social clips, product visuals, storyboards and background footage all call for different strengths, so write down two or three typical prompts before you compare anything.

• Sound. Some tools create speech and effects with the picture. Others give you silent clips to score yourself.
• Length and format. Check the clip length, the shapes you can export for vertical and wide screens, and the quality of the file you get back.
• Control. Look for starting images, camera moves and the option to extend a clip rather than redoing it.
• Where you work. Decide whether you want a website, a phone app or an API for your own tools.

Questions to settle before you move your Sora projects

• Have I exported the videos and prompts I want to keep?
• Does the new tool accept the starting images I use?
• What does the free route include, and which features need an upgrade?
• Who owns the clips I make, and can I use them in my business?
• Are my generations private by default?
• Does the tool say where it's available, and does that include my country?

If you'd like help working out which of these tools fits a real business job, you can ask about working with an AI consultant in the UK.

Making a Sora style video clip your own with a good prompt

Whichever tool you pick, prompts work best when they read like a short film note. Say who or what is in the shot, where it happens, how the camera moves and what the light looks like. Keep one action per clip, because tools tend to handle one clear movement better than a list of them.

If you want examples to copy and adapt, my collection of Veo prompts shows how to describe scenes, sound and dialogue in plain language, and the same habits carry across most video tools.

Safety points for any AI video tool

Only upload footage and images you own or have permission to use, and check each tool's rules on real people's likenesses and commercial use. Where a platform asks you to label AI-made video, label it. Read the terms for each tool too, since the rules differ and change. This is general guidance, not legal advice, so check your own situation if a project matters.

Hosted app, open model or multi-model studio: which type suits you

A hosted app is the simplest way in: you type a prompt, wait and download. A multi-model studio lets you try several engines under one login, which helps if you're not sure what you like yet. An open model gives you the most control and keeps your files with you, but you'll need a capable computer and some patience with set-up.

Many people mix them. They explore in a hosted app, settle on a style, and only then look at something heavier. Whatever you choose, treat the first week as a trial of your own habits rather than a test of the tool.

Why a smaller video tool can be a sensible pick

Smaller tools often focus on one kind of job and update quickly. Before you commit, check that the site is still being updated, read its help pages and try one small project. The closure of a well-known app is a good reminder to keep copies of your own prompts and exports somewhere you control.

Do you make an AI video generator? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A short checklist before you pick a Sora replacement

Choose two tools that match what you made most. Run the same prompt through both, compare the results against what you need, and check how easy it's to export your work. Keep the one that fits your routine and note a date to review it again.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of Sora?

You can use another AI video app or model. Which one fits depends on whether you need sound, longer clips, tight control over camera moves or simply a place to experiment.

Is Sora still available?

OpenAI has closed Sora, and its pages say the product is no longer available. Its help centre has an article on the discontinuation that explains what happens to your content and how to export it.

Are there free AI video generators?

Several tools offer a free plan, free credits or open-source models. Free options usually come with limits on length, quality or daily use, so check what's included before you plan a larger project.

Can I use AI video clips in my business?

Often yes, but the rules differ from tool to tool. Read each tool's terms on commercial use, avoid real people's likenesses without permission and check your own situation.

Do I need a powerful computer?

Not for hosted apps, which do the heavy work online. Open models that you run yourself need a capable machine, and each one lists its own requirements.