Sora 2 & Sora 2 Pro Pricing Calculator & Complete Cost Guide
Calculate costs for Sora 2 and Sora 2 Pro AI video generation. Compare API pricing with ChatGPT Plus & Pro subscriptions to find the best value.
Pricing TLDR
- • API: $0.10-$0.50/second (varies by model and resolution)
- • ChatGPT Plus: $20/month (1,000 credits, ~50 videos at 480p)
- • ChatGPT Pro: $200/month (10,000 credits, ~500 videos priority)
Sora 2 Pricing Calculator
Quick Examples:
Video Length (seconds)
Plus: 5s at 720p or 10s at 480p; Pro: up to 20s
Videos per Month
Monthly Cost Comparison
Subscription video estimates based on observed credit costs. Actual costs may vary.
Access Method
API Options (Pay-per-use)
Access Method
Sora 2 (Standard API)
720p, 4s/8s/12s options
480p
Not available
720p
$5.00
$0.10/sec
1080p
Not available
Access Method
Sora 2 Pro (API)
1024p, 10s/15s/25s options
480p
Not available
720p
$15.00
$0.30/sec
1080p
$25.00
$0.50/sec
Access Method
Subscription Options
Access Method
ChatGPT Plus
$20/month (1,000 credits)
480p
$20.00
~50 videos available
720p
$20.00
~12 videos available
1080p
Not available
Access Method
ChatGPT Pro
$200/month (10,000 credits)
480p
$200.00
~500 videos available
720p
$200.00
~125 videos available
1080p
$200.00
~50 videos available
Note: API uses 1024p (1792×1024), subscriptions use 1080p (1920×1080). Shown as "1080p" in table for clarity.
Sora 2 Subscription Pricing
Available through ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscriptions
Monthly Credits
ChatGPT Plus
Priority mode only
ChatGPT Pro
Priority mode
Estimated Videos
ChatGPT Plus
480p 5s: ~50 videos
480p 10s: ~25 videos
720p 5s: ~12 videos
1080p: Not available
ChatGPT Pro
480p 5s: ~500 videos
720p 5s: ~125 videos
1080p 5s: ~50 videos
Max Resolution
ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Pro
Max Duration
ChatGPT Plus
or 10s at 480p
ChatGPT Pro
1080p resolution
Relaxed Mode
ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Pro
Unlimited (after priority credits)
Slower generation (5-10 min vs 1-2 min)
Concurrent Generations
ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Pro
Watermark
ChatGPT Plus
Yes
Visible watermark + C2PA metadata
ChatGPT Pro
No watermark
Download without watermark
Credit Rollover
ChatGPT Plus
No
ChatGPT Pro
No
Sora 2 Pricing Guide: API vs Subscriptions
Usage Pattern
1-5 videos/month
Best Option
Sora 2 API
Monthly Cost
~$2.50-25
Why?
Pay only for what you use
Usage Pattern
Daily videos (25-50/mo)
Best Option
ChatGPT Plus
Monthly Cost
$20
Why?
Fixed cost, predictable budget
Usage Pattern
Heavy usage (200+ videos)
Best Option
ChatGPT Pro
Monthly Cost
$200
Why?
Best per-video cost at scale + unlimited relaxed mode
Usage Pattern
Professional productions
Best Option
Sora 2 Pro API
Monthly Cost
Variable
Why?
Best quality, 1080p, API integration
About Sora 2
What is Sora 2?
Sora 2 is OpenAI's advanced AI video generation model that creates high-quality videos from text prompts or images. Available in two versions: Sora 2 (standard, up to 720p) and Sora 2 Pro (premium, up to 1024p via API or 1080p via subscriptions). Both support text-to-video and image-to-video generation with synchronized audio.
- Text-to-Video Generation: Generate videos from text descriptions. Subscriptions: up to 20s. API: Sora 2 (4s/8s/12s), Sora 2 Pro (10s/15s/25s)
- Image-to-Video Animation: Animate static images into videos with realistic motion and physics
- Multiple Resolution Options: 480p, 720p (Sora 2 max), 1024p via API (1792×1024), and 1080p via subscriptions (Sora 2 Pro only) with portrait and landscape formats
- Synchronized Audio: Native audio generation synchronized with video content for more immersive experiences
- Flexible Access Methods: Available through API (pay-per-use) or ChatGPT subscriptions (Plus/Pro) with credit-based system
When to Use Sora 2
Choose Sora for AI-powered video creation when you need quick content generation without traditional video production. Select API for flexibility, subscriptions for regular use.
Ideal for
- Social media video content creation and viral marketing
- Marketing and advertising video assets for digital campaigns
- Educational content, tutorials, and explainer videos
- Product demonstrations and promotional materials
- Rapid prototyping and concept visualization
- Automated video generation workflows and batch processing
Not ideal for
- Videos longer than 25 seconds (Sora 2 Pro API max), 20 seconds (ChatGPT Pro), or 5-10 seconds (ChatGPT Plus)
- Real-time video generation requiring instant output
- Content requiring 100% physical accuracy and realism
- 4K or higher resolution video production
- Complex multi-scene narratives with perfect continuity
7 Sora 2 Cost Optimization Tips
Choose the Right Access Method
Use API for occasional use (<5 videos/month), flexible on-demand generation, or automated workflows. Use ChatGPT Plus for regular use (25-50 videos/month) at 720p/5s or 480p/10s max. Use ChatGPT Pro for heavy production (200+ videos/month) or when you need 1080p up to 20s + unlimited relaxed mode.
Optimize Resolution Strategy
Start with 480p for testing and drafts (4 credits/sec). Use 720p for most social media content (16 credits/sec). Reserve 1080p for final productions and premium content (40 credits/sec). This can save 85%+ in credit costs.
Smart Video Length Planning
Plan for API duration tiers: Sora 2 (4s/8s/12s) or Sora 2 Pro (10s/15s/25s). For ChatGPT Plus, optimize for 5s at 720p or 10s at 480p. ChatGPT Pro allows up to 20s at 1080p. For longer content, break into multiple clips. Test concepts with shorter durations before generating longer versions. Remember: longer duration = higher costs.
Model Selection Strategy
Use Sora 2 ($0.10/sec) for social media, quick content, and high-volume needs. Use Sora 2 Pro ($0.30-0.50/sec) only for client deliverables, marketing campaigns, and professional productions requiring top quality. This 3-5x price difference matters at scale.
Leverage ChatGPT Pro's Relaxed Mode
If you exceed 10,000 priority credits on ChatGPT Pro, use unlimited relaxed mode for non-urgent videos. This effectively gives you unlimited generation after hitting the priority threshold, making Pro extremely cost-effective for high-volume users.
Batch Processing Tips
Generate similar videos together to refine prompts efficiently. Create prompt templates for common use cases. Plan monthly video calendar to maximize subscription value. Monitor credit usage to avoid running out before month end.
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Start Free TrialSora Pricing FAQ
Common questions about OpenAI Sora costs, subscriptions, and access methods
