The best Sora alternatives in 2026, now that Sora has shut down

If you made videos with Sora, you have probably noticed it is gone. OpenAI announced in March 2026 that it was closing Sora: the web and mobile apps were switched off on 26 April 2026, and the developer API followed on 24 September 2026. Your Sora workflow needs a new home. The good news is that the alternatives are now very good — several of them make sound as well as picture, which Sora's first version did not.

A note before we start: we publish the cartoon video creator listed below, so weigh that entry accordingly. The specifications for the other models are taken from their published API listings in October 2026.

Sora alternatives at a glance

1. Google Veo 3.1 — the closest replacement for realistic video

Veo is Google's video model and the most common recommendation for people who used Sora for lifelike footage. Veo 3.1 generates clips of 4, 6 or 8 seconds with synchronised sound — dialogue, effects and ambience — at up to 4K, and it accepts both a start and an end image. Cheaper "Fast" and "Lite" versions trade some quality for price.

Choose it if: you want realism and polish, and short shots are fine. Watch out for: the 8-second ceiling — anything longer has to be assembled from several clips.

2. Kling 3.0 — energetic motion

Kling, from Kuaishou, is known for convincing physical motion: running, dancing, fights and camera moves. Version 3.0 makes clips of 3 to 15 seconds at 720p, with optional sound, and accepts a start and an end frame. It comes in Standard and Pro tiers.

Choose it if: your videos are about movement. Watch out for: clips with sound cost more than silent ones.

3. Seedance 2.5 and 2.0 — long shots with sound

ByteDance's Seedance models stand out for length: Seedance 2.5 produces a single continuous shot of up to 30 seconds with synchronised sound, at 480p or 720p. Seedance 2.0 is limited to 15 seconds but reaches 1080p and 4K, and there are lower-cost Fast and Mini versions. Both accept start and end frames, and handle stylised looks — including cartoons — well.

Choose it if: you need longer shots or consistent characters. For a deeper comparison, see Seedance vs Kling vs Veo.

4. Wan 3.0 — strong value

Alibaba's Wan 3.0 generates up to 30 seconds per clip with sound, from 480p to 1080p, starting from text or an image. It is one of the least expensive high-quality models, which makes it a sensible default for anyone producing a lot of video.

5. Runway Gen-4.5 — for filmmakers

Runway has long been a favourite of video editors and directors, with tools built around its models. Gen-4.5 makes 2- to 10-second silent clips at 720p from text or a starting image. If you add sound in an editor anyway, it fits neatly into a production workflow.

6. Hailuo and Grok Imagine — worth a look

MiniMax's Hailuo 3 produces expressive characters in 5- to 15-second clips, and xAI's Grok Imagine Video 1.5 makes clips of up to 15 seconds quickly and cheaply — handy for drafts and ideas.

7. For cartoons: Cartoon Video Creator

Every model above makes clips. If what you want is a finished cartoon — a story with characters who stay the same from start to end, voices, music and a proper ending — you would otherwise have to plan the shots, generate them one at a time and edit them together yourself.

Our cartoon video creator does that for you. Describe your idea, choose a length from a few seconds up to 5 minutes (or 20 minutes on the Pro plan), and the whole cartoon arrives as one video with sound. You can start from text, a photo, a pair of frames or reference images, and choose between Wan 3.0, Seedance 2.5 and Seedance 2.0 Mini. New accounts get a free short cartoon to try it.

How to choose

• Lifelike, short shots: Veo 3.1.
• Action and movement: Kling 3.0.
• Long single shots, or many videos on a budget: Seedance or Wan.
• Silent footage for an edit: Runway.
• Complete animated stories: Cartoon Video Creator.

Moving from Sora: practical tips

• Re-use your prompts, but lead with style. Every model weights the first words most. Put the look first ("2D cartoon, bold outlines…"), then the action.
• Describe the sound. Sora's first version was silent; most alternatives now generate audio. Ask for it: "a narrator says…", "upbeat music", "footsteps on gravel".
• Use a starting image for consistency. Supplying the first frame is the most reliable way to keep a character looking the same between clips — see how to animate a picture.
• Download and keep your files. If Sora taught anything, it is that a service can disappear. Keep your own copies.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sora still available? No. The Sora apps closed on 26 April 2026 and the API on 24 September 2026.

What is the best free Sora alternative? Most alternatives offer a free trial or a small free allowance rather than unlimited free use. Our cartoon video creator gives new accounts a free short cartoon with no card required.

Which Sora alternative makes the longest videos? In a single clip, Seedance 2.5 and Wan 3.0 reach 30 seconds. For a complete video of several minutes, a tool that plans and joins the story for you — like ours, up to 20 minutes — is far quicker than stitching clips by hand.