There's no live head-to-head left in the apps most people used. OpenAI's help centre says the Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on 26 April and the Sora API closes on 24 September. Google says Gemini Omni is replacing Veo in the Gemini app, though Veo is still listed on Google DeepMind's models page. If you were choosing between them, you're now choosing what comes next.
People still search for Veo against Sora: Google's video model against OpenAI's. Both have changed shape since. I read OpenAI's help centre article on the Sora discontinuation and its Sora 2 launch post, plus Google DeepMind's Veo page and Google's Gemini video page.
Veo and Sora today
| Veo | Sora | |
|---|---|---|
| Status in the consumer app | Being replaced by Gemini Omni in the Gemini app | Web and app discontinued on 26 April |
| Developer access | Still listed on Google DeepMind's models page (Veo 3.1) | API discontinued on 24 September |
| What replaces it | Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash in the Gemini app | Not named in OpenAI's help article |
| Your existing videos | Not covered on the pages I read | Export at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset |
| Clip length | Gemini Omni: 10-second videos | Not applicable now |
| Audio | Native audio generation (Gemini Omni) | Not applicable now |
| Access | Gemini Omni needs an upgraded Gemini plan | Closed |
| Leftover credits | Not applicable | Can be used for Codex |
What happened to Sora
OpenAI launched Sora 2 in an invite-based Sora app and on sora.com, initially free with generous limits. Its help centre now has an article on the Sora discontinuation. It says the Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on 26 April, and the Sora API will be discontinued on 24 September.
If you made videos in Sora, OpenAI says you can export them at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset and you'll get an email when the export is ready. After any final export window, OpenAI will permanently delete the data linked to your use of Sora. Any ChatGPT or Sora credits you already hold can still be used for Codex.
What happened to Veo
Google's Gemini video page says Gemini Omni will replace Veo in the Gemini app. It describes Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash as the model replacing the previous Veo 3.1 model there, with 10-second videos, native audio, turning up to 5 photos into a video, scene extensions, video-to-video editing and multi-turn editing.
Veo hasn't vanished, though. Google DeepMind's models page still lists Veo as a specialised model for cinematic video with audio, under the title Veo 3.1. In the Gemini app, Google says you'll need an upgraded plan to use Gemini Omni, and US college students get a free Pro plan offer for a year.
The part to act on now
Here's the bit that matters if you used Sora for client work or social content. Your old Sora videos won't sit there forever: OpenAI says data is permanently deleted after any final export window. Export anything you want to keep now, and note that OpenAI says it will email you before a final export window begins, if it offers one.
If your workflow was built on Veo inside the Gemini app, the tool you'll use now has a new name and new features, so expect your prompts to behave a little differently.
Which way to go from here
If you made AI video in the Gemini app, Gemini Omni is the direct next step. If you were a Sora user, you'll need another tool, and my comparison of AI video generators for social media is a good place to start, along with these free AI video generators with no watermark.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
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My advice for AI video right now
Export your Sora videos today if you still can, then test two or three current tools with the same short prompt and the same reference photo, so you're comparing like with like. Keep a copy of every clip you publish in your own storage, because both of these tools changed under their users within a short spell.
Do you make AI video tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sora shut down?
Yes. OpenAI's help centre says the Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on 26 April, and the Sora API will be discontinued on 24 September.
Can I still download my Sora videos?
OpenAI says you can export your Sora content at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset, and you'll get an email when it's ready. It recommends exporting as soon as possible.
Is Veo still available?
Google DeepMind's models page still lists Veo 3.1. In the Gemini app, Google says Gemini Omni is replacing Veo.
What is Gemini Omni?
Google describes Gemini Omni as its video generation and editing model in the Gemini app, making 10-second videos with native audio and editing existing videos.
What happens to my Sora credits?
OpenAI says ChatGPT or Sora credits you already hold can still be used for Codex.
