Runway vs Sora
Detailed comparison between Runway and Sora. Which one to choose for your project?
Sora was OpenAI's video generator, able to create clips from text or images. The web and mobile app was discontinued on April 26, 2026, and OpenAI announced the closure of the Sora API for September 24, 2026. This page is kept as a historical record: it explains the closure, shows how existing users can request an export of their content through the official page, and helps compare other AI video tools.
R
Runway
4.4/5 · 17
S
Sora
4.3/5 · 0
Compare features, prices and use cases below →
Head to Head
Runway
The AI creative suite for professional video generation and editing
4.4/5 Third-party rating: 4.4/5 (17).
Price
Free plan; From $12/mo Key features
- State-of-the-art text-to-video generation
- Animate static images
- AI video editing tools (inpainting, remove bg)
- Control movement in generated videos
Sora
OpenAI's video generator, now discontinued
4.3/5 Catalogue score: 4.3/5. No sourced user reviews.
Price
Web & app discontinued Key features
- Historical: generated videos from text. No longer available in the web and mobile app.
- Historical: animated still images into video. No longer available in the web and mobile app.
- Historical: let users chain several scenes into one video. No longer available in the web and mobile app.
- Historical: Sora was accessible through ChatGPT plans. This access is no longer offered.
Runway vs Sora, Specs at a glance
| Criteria | Runway | Sora |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | Third-party rating: 4.4/5 (17). | Catalogue score: 4.3/5. No sourced user reviews. |
| Pricing model | freemium | Web & app discontinued |
| Starting price | Free plan; From $12/mo | Web & app discontinued |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Best for | Creatives and studios wanting the best AI video generation quality | Existing Sora users |
Runway, Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best video quality on the market
- Very comprehensive AI editing tools
- Free plan to try
- Used by professional studios
Cons
- Credits consumed quickly
- Short videos (5-10s max)
- Sometimes long generation times
- Expensive for heavy use
Sora, Pros and Cons
Pros
- Content export can be requested on the official sunset page
- Official OpenAI guidance on the closure, exports and refunds
- Purchased ChatGPT/Sora credits usable for Codex, per OpenAI
Cons
- Web and mobile app discontinued since April 26, 2026
- API closure announced for September 24, 2026
- Data permanently deleted after the closure and any final export window
- No official replacement recommended by OpenAI
Frequently asked questions
Which one is cheaper: Runway or Sora?
Runway: Free plan; From $12/mo. Sora: Web & app discontinued. The listed paid prices cannot be compared on the same basis.
Does Runway or Sora offer a free plan?
Free plan; From $12/mo. Web & app discontinued. Sora was OpenAI's video generator, able to create clips from text or images. The web and mobile app was discontinued on April 26, 2026, and OpenAI announced the closure of the Sora API for September 24, 2026. This page is kept as a historical record: it explains the closure, shows how existing users can request an export of their content through the official page, and helps compare other AI video tools.
Which has the higher user rating, Runway or Sora?
Runway: Third-party rating: 4.4/5 (17). Sora: Catalogue score: 4.3/5. No sourced user reviews. Choose according to your use case; the rating alone does not determine the best fit.
What is Runway best for compared to Sora?
Sora was OpenAI's video generator, able to create clips from text or images. The web and mobile app was discontinued on April 26, 2026, and OpenAI announced the closure of the Sora API for September 24, 2026. This page is kept as a historical record: it explains the closure, shows how existing users can request an export of their content through the official page, and helps compare other AI video tools.
Should I choose Runway or Sora?
Sora was OpenAI's video generator, able to create clips from text or images. The web and mobile app was discontinued on April 26, 2026, and OpenAI announced the closure of the Sora API for September 24, 2026. This page is kept as a historical record: it explains the closure, shows how existing users can request an export of their content through the official page, and helps compare other AI video tools.
Choose according to your use case; the rating alone does not determine the best fit.
