What Sora is and who can use it right now
Sora is OpenAI's text-to-video tool — you describe what you want in words, and it generates a short video. As of early 2025, access is limited. OpenAI is letting some people use it through ChatGPT Plus (a paid subscription), some through ChatGPT Enterprise (for businesses), and some through a research preview program. You cannot simply sign up and get it today the way you can with other ChatGPT features.
The tool is still in controlled release, meaning OpenAI is rolling it out slowly to test how people use it and catch problems before wider release. That also means the people who have access now are not necessarily the people who will have it first when it opens further — OpenAI has said they will expand access over time, but they have not published a timeline.
If you do not have access yet, you are not locked out forever. The most practical path is to wait for broader release or to check whether your use case fits one of the current programs.
Key Takeaways
- Sora is currently available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers in some countries, ChatGPT Enterprise customers, and people accepted into OpenAI's research preview program.
- You cannot request access through a waitlist or application form — OpenAI invites people directly or makes it available through existing subscriptions.
- If you have ChatGPT Plus, check your app or web interface to see whether the Sora option appears in your feature list.
- Sora videos have limits: they are typically 20 seconds or shorter, and you get a monthly quota of generations depending on your subscription tier.
- OpenAI has said access will expand over time, so if you do not have it now, checking back in a few months is a reasonable approach.
Access through ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month. If you subscribe, Sora may already be available to you — but not everywhere. OpenAI has rolled it out to Plus subscribers in the United States first, with other countries following. The feature appears as a button or option in the ChatGPT interface next to the text input box, usually labeled "Create" or with a video icon.
To check whether you have it: open ChatGPT on the web or in the mobile app, look at the bottom of the compose area (where you type your message), and see whether a video or create option is visible. If it is not there, you either do not have Plus, or Sora has not rolled out to your region yet. OpenAI does not send notifications when it becomes available — you have to check yourself.
If you have Plus and Sora is available to you, you will have a monthly quota of video generations. The exact number depends on your subscription tier and changes as OpenAI adjusts the service. You can generate videos until you hit that limit, then wait for the quota to reset the following month.
Access through ChatGPT Enterprise
ChatGPT Enterprise is designed for organizations, not individual users. It costs significantly more than Plus and is sold as a contract to a company or team. If your employer has an Enterprise license, Sora may be included, but that depends on what your organization negotiated with OpenAI and when they signed their contract.
If you think your workplace might have Enterprise, ask your IT department or the person who manages your company's ChatGPT account. They can tell you whether Sora is part of your organization's license and how to access it. You cannot buy Enterprise yourself — it is a business-to-business product.
OpenAI's research preview program
OpenAI occasionally invites researchers, creators, and other users to test Sora through a research preview. This is not a public application process — OpenAI selects people based on their work and how they might use the tool. If you are selected, OpenAI contacts you directly with instructions on how to access it.
There is no form to fill out or waitlist to join for the research preview. If you have not heard from OpenAI directly, you are not currently in the program. Checking OpenAI's official announcements (on their blog or X/Twitter account) is the only reliable way to know if they have opened a new round of research access.
What to expect when you use Sora
Sora generates videos up to 20 seconds long from a text description. You write a prompt describing the scene, action, style, or mood you want — for example, "a golden retriever running through a snowy forest at sunset" — and Sora creates a video matching that description. The quality and accuracy depend on how specific your prompt is and what Sora's model can currently do.
Generated videos are not always perfect. The tool sometimes struggles with physics, hands, text within the video, or complex scenes with many moving objects. You may need to regenerate a video several times to get one you like, and each generation counts against your monthly quota.
Videos you create are yours to use, but OpenAI's terms of service apply. You can download them, edit them, or use them in projects, but you should review OpenAI's usage policies to understand what you can and cannot do with them — for example, whether you can use them commercially depends on your subscription type.
When Sora might become more widely available
OpenAI has not announced a specific date for broader release. Based on how they have rolled out other features, the pattern is usually: limited access to Plus subscribers in the US, then expansion to other regions, then eventually broader availability. This process typically takes months, not weeks.
The company is still gathering data on how people use Sora and what problems come up. That feedback shapes the tool before it reaches more users. If you are waiting for access, following OpenAI's official announcements is more reliable than checking third-party sites or rumors.
Alternatives if you cannot access Sora yet
Other companies offer text-to-video tools with different levels of availability. Google's Veo, Runway, Pika, and Synthesia all generate videos from text, though they work differently and have their own limitations and costs. None of these are Sora, but they may meet your needs while you wait.
If you are interested in video generation specifically for business use — like creating marketing videos or product demos — some of these tools have free tiers or trial periods. Trying them can help you understand what text-to-video tools can and cannot do before Sora becomes available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get on a waitlist for Sora?
No. OpenAI does not have a public waitlist for Sora. Access comes through ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Enterprise, or direct invitation to the research preview. If you want to use it, subscribing to ChatGPT Plus is the most straightforward path if you are in a region where it has rolled out.
Will Sora work on my phone?
Yes, if you have ChatGPT Plus and Sora is available in your region, you can access it through the ChatGPT mobile app on iOS or Android. The interface is the same as on the web — you type a prompt and generate a video.
How much does it cost to use Sora?
If you have ChatGPT Plus, Sora is included in the $20 monthly subscription. You do not pay per video. You get a monthly quota of generations, and once you use them up, you wait for the quota to reset. Enterprise pricing is negotiated separately with OpenAI.
Can I use Sora videos commercially?
It depends on your subscription. ChatGPT Plus terms allow you to use generated content for most purposes, including commercial ones, but you should review OpenAI's current usage policies to be sure. Enterprise customers should check their specific agreement with OpenAI.
What happens if Sora is not showing up in my ChatGPT Plus?
It may not have rolled out to your region yet, or there may be a technical issue. Try logging out and back in, or check whether you are using the latest version of the app. If it still does not appear after a few days, it likely has not reached your location yet — check back in a few weeks.