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How to Use Sora with ChatGPT and the Best Free Alternatives Available
Sora is one of the most exciting new AI tools to emerge from OpenAI’s lineup. Designed to turn text prompts into short, high-quality videos, it’s now available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users.
Unlike third-party integrations, Sora is a native part of OpenAI’s creative tools, sitting alongside DALL·E and Code Interpreter inside the ChatGPT interface.
Curious about how Sora works with ChatGPT and what it can (and can’t) do? In this guide, we’ll quickly cover how Sora integrates with ChatGPT, its current limitations, and the best alternatives you can try right now — including MyEdit , a free, accessible text-to-video tool you can use today.
- Exploring Sora: OpenAI’s Text-to-Video Model for ChatGPT
- How to Use Sora via ChatGPT: A Step-by-Step Guide
- What Are the Limits of Sora + ChatGPT Video Generation?
- Best Free Alternatives to Sora for Text-to-Video
- FAQ About OpenAI’s Sora and ChatGPT Integration
Exploring Sora: OpenAI’s Text-to-Video Model for ChatGPT
Video source: OpenAI
Sora is OpenAI’s cutting-edge text-to-video AI model, designed to turn written descriptions into realistic, high-quality videos directly into ChatGPT for Plus, Pro, and Team users.
Using Sora inside ChatGPT is simple — you enter a text prompt describing the video you want to create, and the AI generates a short, AI-powered video clip based on your description. It can handle detailed scene descriptions, characters, objects, camera movements, and even specific visual styles.
Who Can Use Sora?
Currently, Sora is available to users with a ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or Team subscription. Access levels vary based on your plan:
- Plus users: Limited priority generations at 720p.
- Pro and Team users: Higher video quality, faster processing, and priority access to new features.
Key Features:
- Text-to-video generation inside ChatGPT.
- AI-powered scene interpretation and animation.
- 720p to high-resolution video options (depending on plan).
- Prompt-based control over visuals, style, and pacing.
What’s the Catch?
Sora is still being gradually rolled out and is unavailable in some regions, including the EU and UK. It also currently supports short videos only and has specific usage caps depending on your subscription tier.
How to Use Sora via ChatGPT: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you have a ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or Team subscription, you can access Sora’s text-to-video feature right inside the ChatGPT interface. Here’s how to do it:
- Log Into ChatGPT: Visit chat.openai.com and sign in with your OpenAI account (Plus, Team, or Enterprise).
- Start a New Chat: Open a new conversation in ChatGPT to begin.
- Enter a Video Prompt: Type your video idea naturally and as descriptively as possible. Mention details like mood, lighting, time of day, or specific actions to get better results. For example:
Example: “A cozy winter cabin in the woods with falling snow, warm lights, and smoke coming from the chimney.”
- Customize Video Settings: Before generating, you can select video resolution (up to 720p on Plus), aspect ratio, length, and the number of video variations using icons below the prompt box.
- Wait for the Video Generation: Sora will process your text prompt and generate a short video clip. This typically takes a few seconds to a minute, depending on demand.
- Download or Save Your Video: Once your video is ready, you can watch it inside ChatGPT and download it for your content, marketing, or personal use.
What Are the Limits of Sora + ChatGPT Video Generation?
While Sora is a powerful text-to-video tool integrated into ChatGPT, it currently comes with several important limitations users should be aware of:
Availability
Sora is still in gradual rollout. As of now, it’s not available in all countries, including the EU and UK.
Video Length
The generated videos are very short clips — typically just a few seconds long. Full-length or multi-minute video generation isn’t supported yet.
Resolution Caps
Depending on your ChatGPT plan:
- Plus users get 720p resolution videos.
- Pro and Team users have access to higher quality options.
Usage Limits
OpenAI applies daily and monthly generation caps based on your plan level. Once you hit your limit, you’ll need to wait for a reset or upgrade.
Prompt Sensitivity
While Sora handles descriptive prompts well, it can sometimes struggle with complex or abstract requests. The more precise and detailed your prompt, the better your results.
No Audio or Voice Generation
At this time, Sora’s text-to-video feature is visual-only — it doesn’t generate accompanying sound, voiceovers, or background music.
6 Best Free AI Text-to-Video Alternatives to Sora in 2025
1. MyEdit
MyEdit is one of the most accessible and versatile alternatives to Sora available today. While Sora’s text-to-video tool is currently limited to a select group of ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users — and produces silent videos without audio — MyEdit offers a free, open-to-all solution. Its AI text-to-video feature allows you to transform a simple written prompt into an engaging video in seconds. Even better, you can enhance your video by adding background music and sound effects directly within the platform, something Sora doesn’t currently support.
Beyond text prompts, MyEdit takes it a step further by letting you convert images into animated videos. While Sora is still text-only, MyEdit’s image-to-video tool makes it easy to upload a picture and turn it into a dynamic video using a custom AI prompt or by applying ready-made animation effects. It’s a practical and creative way to give life to static images, ideal for social media posts, stories, or quick video projects.
With no access restrictions, no waiting list, and the ability to generate both text-to-video and image-to-video content for free, MyEdit is a flexible, beginner-friendly alternative to Sora. And while it’s not built for long-form storytelling, it’s perfect for short, impactful video clips — all enhanced by options like background audio and music, giving it a real advantage over Sora’s current limitations.
Best Features:
- User-friendly interface suitable for all skill levels
- Powerful text-to-video generation
- Quick rendering with high-quality visuals
- Image-to-video with templates or custom prompts
2. PowerDirector
PowerDirector is a feature-packed video editing software that integrates AI-powered text-to-video capabilities seamlessly within its robust editing environment. Users can generate videos directly from text prompts, making content creation faster and more accessible.
Beyond text-to-video, PowerDirector stands out for its collection of AI video tools you won’t find with Sora. You can turn images into short videos with animated effects, generate royalty-free music with its AI music generator, and even create avatar-based videos where a virtual presenter delivers your text as speech. These features open up creative options beyond basic text-to-video generation, offering an easy way to build video content from multiple media sources, not just text prompts.
With video enhancement tools, AI subtitle generation, a voice generator, and video translation features built-in, PowerDirector positions itself as a more complete, all-in-one AI video editor than Sora — and without the current access restrictions. It’s a great pick for anyone looking to move fast and create short, shareable videos backed by sound, effects, and extra media options Sora still lacks.
Best Features:
- AI-powered text-to-video generation for quick video creation
- Robust AI-driven capabilities that simplify and improve video editing
- Advanced video editing tools with effects, transitions, and 4K export
3. Pika Labs
Pika Labs is an AI-powered video generation platform that lets you create engaging videos in various animation styles, including cartoon, cinematic, and more.
It supports image-to-video and video-to-video transformations, making it ideal for content creators looking to produce dynamic and visually appealing videos for social media, marketing, or storytelling. Its straightforward interface and quick rendering times help users get professional results without a steep learning curve.
Best Features:
- Multiple creative animation styles
- Supports image-to-video and video-to-video inputs
- Fast rendering with easy customization options
4. Kling
Source: Kling
Kling is designed for fast and realistic AI video generation from text, images, or existing videos. Its flexible modes allow marketers, educators, and social media managers to quickly produce polished, professional-quality videos with minimal effort.
Kling AI emphasizes speed and usability, making it a convenient option for users who want to generate high-quality video content without complex editing.
Best Features:
- Realistic, high-quality video output
- Multiple input options: text, images, and videos
- User-friendly interface optimized for speed
5. Canva
Source: Canva
Canva is a widely popular design tool that combines graphic and video editing in one user-friendly platform. It offers a drag-and-drop interface with extensive templates, stock media, and collaborative features.
While not exclusively AI-driven for video creation, Canva’s integration of simple video editing tools with design assets makes it a versatile choice for users who want to create quick videos for social media, presentations, or marketing campaigns without advanced video skills.
Best Features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor combining graphics and video
- Extensive library of templates, photos, videos, and music
- Collaboration tools for teams and clients
6. InVideo
Source: InVideo
InVideo is a powerful online video editor that simplifies video creation with AI-assisted tools and an extensive library of customizable templates. It’s designed for marketers, social media managers, and content creators who want to produce professional-quality videos quickly.
InVideo supports text-to-video features, allowing users to transform scripts or articles into engaging videos. Its intuitive interface, combined with a rich set of effects, transitions, and media assets, makes it a versatile option for both beginners and experienced users.
Best Features:
- AI-powered text-to-video conversion
- Large template and media library
- Supports team collaboration and branding
FAQ About OpenAI’s Sora and ChatGPT Integration
Is there an alternative to Sora?
Yes — several alternatives to Sora are available if you're looking for AI-powered text-to-video generation. One of the best options is
MyEdit
, which not only offers text-to-video but also lets you turn images into videos using both ready-made templates and custom AI prompts. It's easy to use, beginner-friendly, and available online without complex setup. If you need a simple, fast, and effective alternative to Sora, MyEdit is a great place to start.
Is there a free version of Sora AI?
As of now, Sora is only available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users — and there’s no completely free, open-access version for everyone. If you're looking for a free way to create AI-generated videos,
MyEdit
offers a generous free version where you can turn text into short video clips without the need for a subscription. It's an accessible option while waiting for Sora to open up to the public.
Who is the competitor of Sora OpenAI?
Besides OpenAI’s Sora, several AI video generation tools are gaining traction.
MyEdit
stands out for its text-to-video and image-to-video features, while PowerDirector is popular for its AI video tools like video upscalers, text-to-video, and subtitle generators. Other alternatives include Canva, Pika Labs, and Kling AI. While Sora is impressive, these platforms already offer powerful video generation features that you can try today.
Is Sora the best AI video generator?
Sora is one of the most advanced AI video generators on the market, especially for realistic, high-quality footage from text prompts. However, it’s not the only strong option out there.
MyEdit
offers a user-friendly, creative, and accessible alternative for anyone looking to create AI videos online. It’s especially good if you want a mix of templates and custom prompts, and it supports both text-to-video and image-to-video. Until Sora becomes widely available, MyEdit remains one of the best alternatives for everyday creators.
Is Sora free now?
No — Sora isn’t publicly free. It’s currently available to users on ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise plans, with no standalone free version. If you're looking for a no-cost solution,
MyEdit
provides a free version you can use to turn text and images into short AI-generated videos directly online.
How much does Sora video generator cost?
To access Sora, you’ll need a subscription to ChatGPT Plus (starting at around $20/month), or a Team or Enterprise plan. There’s no separate pricing for Sora alone. If you want a free or more affordable alternative,
MyEdit
offers text-to-video and image-to-video features with a free version, plus premium upgrades if needed.
Can ChatGPT generate videos?
Yes — but only with the integration of Sora, and only if you have a paid ChatGPT plan (Plus, Team, or Enterprise). Without that, ChatGPT alone doesn’t generate video. However, you can use
MyEdit
as a free and easy way to turn text prompts into AI-generated videos online. It’s a perfect tool for those without access to Sora or ChatGPT’s video features.
Can Sora do an image to a video?
Officially, Sora focuses on text-to-video generation and hasn’t yet introduced a native image-to-video feature. If you need this functionality,
MyEdit
is an excellent choice. It lets you upload an image and either animate it with video templates or use AI-generated prompts to turn your image into a short video clip — all online and with a free version available.
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