Sora’s Free Video Generations Slashed as OpenAI Adds Fees
OpenAI has officially ended Sora’s free unlimited video generation, introducing paid bundles for users who exceed new daily limits. The company confirmed the monetization shift for its iOS app, marking a significant policy change.
Key Takeaways
- All users now face daily generation limits (30 for free/Plus/Teams, 100 for Pro)
- $4 bundles provide 10 additional video generations with no purchase cap
- OpenAI cites sustainability concerns for ending free unlimited access
- Future plans include monetizing the Cameo feature and copyright content
New Pricing Structure and Limits
Bill Peebles, Head of Sora at OpenAI, announced the change on X platform, stating: “We are launching the ability to buy extra gens in Sora today.”
Each $4 bundle (approximately ₹350) provides 10 additional video generations. There’s no limit on how many bundles users can purchase, enabling unlimited paid usage.
Who Gets Affected by the Changes?
The update impacts all user tiers:
- Free, ChatGPT Plus, and Teams subscribers: Limited to 30 free generations daily
- Pro subscribers: Receive 100 daily generations before paying
- All users receive purchase prompts once they exhaust their free allotments
Sustainability Drives Policy Shift
Peebles explained that offering free video generation had become economically challenging. “Letting users generate Sora videos for free is becoming unsustainable,” he stated.
The new model aims to balance platform growth while serving power users who require more generations.
Future Monetization Plans
Beyond the current changes, OpenAI plans further reductions to daily limits in coming months. The company is also developing monetization strategies for Sora’s “Cameo” feature.
According to Peebles, future systems may charge extra for videos featuring copyrighted characters or real person likenesses. Revenue sharing with creators and early platform adopters is being considered.
