Author's Note: OpenAI has adjusted Sora 2's pricing policy. Starting January 10, 2026, free users will no longer be able to generate images and videos—only Plus and Pro subscription users will have access. API services have been urgently restored to support this change.
OpenAI has just made a major pricing policy adjustment to its Sora 2 video generation service. Starting at 4 AM on January 10, 2026, free users will no longer be able to use Sora to generate images and videos. This feature will be limited to Plus ($20/month) and Pro ($200/month) subscribers only.
This article will provide a detailed analysis of the actual impact of this adjustment on developers and creators from three perspectives: policy change details, scope of impact, and alternative solutions.
Core Value: Understand the latest Sora 2 policy changes, master solutions for continuous and stable use of AI video generation services, and avoid business disruptions.
Background of OpenAI Sora 2 Pricing Policy Adjustment
Since Sora's launch in late 2024, OpenAI has been gradually tightening usage limits for free users. This policy adjustment is a continuation of that trend and marks the official entry of AI video generation services into the full paid era.
Sora 2 Policy Adjustment Timeline
| Timeline | Policy Change | Free User Quota |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | Sora 2 official launch | 30 generations per day |
| November 2025 | First restriction adjustment | 6 generations per day |
| January 10, 2026 | This major adjustment | Completely unavailable |
Bill Peebles, OpenAI's Sora lead, previously stated on the X platform: "Our GPUs are melting, and we want to let as many people access Sora as possible!" This explains why OpenAI had to implement more aggressive restriction measures.
Latest Sora 2 Pricing Policy Explained
The core changes in this Sora 2 pricing policy adjustment are as follows:
| User Type | Monthly Fee | Sora 2 Access | Generation Quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Users | $0 | ❌ No Access | 0 |
| Plus Users | $20 | ✅ Full Access | 1,000 credits/month (approx. 50 480p videos) |
| Pro Users | $200 | ✅ Priority Access | 10,000 credits + unlimited relaxed mode |
🔥 Sora 2 Credit Consumption Rules
Video Generation Credit Consumption
Different resolutions and durations consume different amounts of credits:
- 5-second 1080p video: approximately 200 credits
- 5-second 720p video: approximately 100 credits
- 5-second 480p video: approximately 20 credits
Sora Image Generation (sora_image)
Sora not only supports video generation but also high-quality image generation, which is also affected by this policy adjustment.
Impact of Sora 2 Policy Adjustment on Developers
This policy adjustment has varying impacts on different types of users:
| User Type | Impact Level | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| 🎯 Individual Developers | Moderate | Consider upgrading to Plus subscription or using API services |
| 🚀 Content Creators | Significant | Evaluate cost-effectiveness of Plus/Pro subscriptions |
| 💡 Enterprise Users | Minor | Maintain service stability through API integration |
API Yi Emergency Restoration of Sora 2 Services
In response to this policy adjustment, API Yi platform has completed emergency processing immediately to ensure Sora 2 related services remain unaffected:
Service Restoration Status:
- ✅ sora_image Image Generation: Running normally
- ✅ sora Video Generation: Running normally
- ✅ API Interface: Stable and available
🎯 Service Guarantee Statement: API Yi uses Plus-level account pools to support Sora 2 calls, ensuring long-term service stability. For developers and enterprise users who need continuous access to Sora 2, integration through API Yi apiyi.com is a reliable choice to avoid service interruptions.
Sora 2 API Integration Solution
For developers who need to integrate Sora 2 capabilities into their applications, API integration is the most stable solution.
💻 Sora 2 Video Generation Example
import openai
# Configure client - Access Sora 2 through APIYI
client = openai.OpenAI(
api_key="YOUR_API_KEY",
base_url="https://vip.apiyi.com/v1"
)
# Sora 2 video generation request
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="sora",
messages=[
{
"role": "user",
"content": "Generate a 5-second video: A golden Shiba Inu running under cherry blossom trees"
}
]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)
🎨 Sora Image Generation Example
# Sora image generation request
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="sora_image",
messages=[
{
"role": "user",
"content": "Create a cyberpunk-style cityscape night scene image"
}
]
)
🔍 Integration Recommendation: Accessing Sora 2 through APIYI apiyi.com provides unified interface standards and stable service guarantee. The platform uses intelligent load balancing to ensure good response speed even during peak periods.
Sora 2 vs Other AI Video Generation Services Comparison
When choosing an AI video generation service, understanding the characteristics of each platform helps make better decisions:
| Service | Core Advantages | Use Cases | Access Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sora 2 | Highest video quality, realistic physics simulation | High-end content creation | Plus/Pro subscription or API |
| Runway Gen-3 | Fast iteration, diverse styles | Creative design | Subscription-based |
| Pika Labs | Simple to use, lower cost | Entry-level users | Free + Paid |
🎯 Selection Recommendation: For professional users pursuing the highest video quality, Sora 2 remains the top choice. We recommend conducting integration tests through the APIYI apiyi.com platform, which supports unified calling of multiple AI video and image generation models for easy comparison and selection.
❓ Sora 2 Pricing Policy FAQ
Q1: When exactly does this policy adjustment take effect?
Starting from 4:00 AM Beijing Time on January 10, 2026, free users will no longer be able to use Sora to generate images and videos.
Affected Users: All users who have not subscribed to ChatGPT Plus or Pro.
Q2: Can existing free users still use Sora 2?
After this policy adjustment, free users will completely lose access to Sora 2's image and video generation features.
Solutions:
- Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or Pro ($200/month) subscription
- Access through API service providers
Recommended Approach: For developers and enterprise users, we recommend accessing Sora 2 through APIYI apiyi.com. The platform uses a Plus-level account pool, providing stable and reliable API services without the need to subscribe and maintain accounts yourself.
Q3: Are API calls affected by this policy change?
API calls are subject to official API policies. Currently, OpenAI has not yet released an official Sora 2 API.
Current Status: The APIYI platform has restored Sora 2 API call support through technical solutions, including sora video generation and sora_image image generation features.
Stability Guarantee: The platform uses a Plus account pool architecture to ensure long-term service availability.
Q4: How can I ensure long-term stable use of Sora 2 services?
To avoid service interruptions due to policy adjustments, we recommend the following measures:
- Diversified Access: Don't rely on a single channel
- Choose Reliable Providers: Select API platforms with technical capabilities and service guarantees
- Monitor Policy Updates: Stay informed about OpenAI's policy changes
Professional Advice: We recommend using APIYI apiyi.com as your primary access channel for Sora 2. The platform provides comprehensive service guarantees and technical support, and has demonstrated rapid response capabilities during this policy adjustment.
📚 Further Reading
🔗 Related Resources
| Resource Type | Recommended Content | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| Official Documentation | OpenAI Sora Help Center | help.openai.com |
| API Access | APIYI Usage Documentation | help.apiyi.com |
| Technical Community | AI Video Generation Practice Sharing | Major tech communities |
Ongoing Monitoring Recommendation: The AI video generation field is developing rapidly with frequent policy adjustments. We recommend regularly visiting APIYI's technical blog at help.apiyi.com for the latest model updates and access guides.
🎯 Summary
OpenAI's Sora 2 pricing policy adjustment marks the official entry of AI video generation services into the paid era.
Key Highlights: Starting January 10, 2026, Sora 2 will be exclusively available to Plus/Pro users, with free users completely losing access
In response to this change, our recommendations:
- Individual Users: Evaluate whether you need to upgrade to a Plus subscription
- Developers: Access through API service providers to avoid direct reliance on account subscriptions
- Enterprise Users: Choose stable and reliable API platforms to ensure business continuity
- All Users: Monitor policy updates and prepare contingency plans in advance
Final Recommendation: For users requiring long-term stable access to Sora 2, we recommend integration through APIYI apiyi.com. The platform has completed emergency response to this policy adjustment, with sora and sora_image services running normally, making it a reliable choice for ensuring uninterrupted service.
📝 About the Author: Senior AI application developer specializing in large model API integration and architecture design. Regularly shares AI development practical experience. More technical resources and best practice cases are available at APIYI apiyi.com technical community.
🔔 Technical Exchange: Welcome to discuss technical issues in the comments section. We continuously share AI development experience and industry insights. For in-depth technical support, feel free to contact our technical team through APIYI apiyi.com.
