OpenAI has officially announced a new update to its Sora app, introducing a monetized structure for additional video generations. The move marks a significant shift from the app’s previously unlimited AI video generation model, signaling OpenAI’s intention to create a more sustainable revenue path as demand for generative video content soars.

Users Now Required to Pay Beyond Free Quota

Under the new system, users will receive a limited number of free video generations per month. Once this quota is exhausted, they must pay a fee to continue creating videos using Sora. The pricing tiers will reportedly vary based on generation quality, duration, and resolution — giving users flexibility while ensuring OpenAI can manage server load and computing costs efficiently.

Why OpenAI Introduced Paid Access

According to industry experts, this change comes as OpenAI faces increasing infrastructure and GPU-related expenses associated with high-quality video synthesis. Each AI-generated clip requires extensive computational power, and OpenAI’s decision to implement a paywall aligns with trends seen in other AI tools like Midjourney, Runway, and Pika Labs. The company aims to balance accessibility for casual users with performance sustainability for professionals.

Sora’s Popularity and User Reactions

Since its debut, the Sora app has gained massive popularity among creators, filmmakers, and social media influencers for its ability to generate realistic and cinematic videos from text prompts. However, reactions to the new monetization feature are mixed — while many users understand the need for cost recovery, others fear it could limit creativity for non-paying users.

What’s Next for Sora

OpenAI is reportedly planning to introduce subscription bundles that include additional credits, higher-quality rendering options, and early access to new features like video stitching and character cameos. This model could pave the way for a creator-driven ecosystem where AI-powered storytelling becomes a mainstream tool — albeit behind a paywall.