Is Sora 2 Free? Complete Guide to Pricing and Usage Costs
"Is Sora 2 free?" "How much does it cost to use Sora 2?" These are the most common questions people ask after learning about AI video generation tools.
This comprehensive guide covers everything about Sora 2 pricing: free versions, official subscription plans, API pricing, relay service comparisons, and cost-saving strategies for different scenarios. Whether you're an individual user, content creator, or enterprise, you'll find the perfect pricing solution.
I. Does Sora 2 Have a Free Version?
1.1 Official Free Policy
Answer: Sora 2 has no completely free version, but there are several "quasi-free" options:
Option 1: Free Quota for ChatGPT Plus Subscribers
- Subscribe to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)
- Receive a limited monthly Sora 2 generation quota
- Cannot continue once quota is exhausted
Option 2: Official Trial Campaigns (Periodic)
- OpenAI occasionally offers free trials
- Requires registration codes or invitations
- Limited trial period (usually 7-14 days)
Option 3: Education/Academic Free Plans (Application-Based)
- Targeted at educational institutions and research
- Requires application and approval
- Approved users receive a certain quota
1.2 Free Quota Limitations
Even with ChatGPT Plus free quota, there are limitations:
| Limit | Free Quota | Plus Paid Users |
|---|---|---|
| Generations | ~30-50/month | Unlimited (subscription-dependent) |
| Video Length | Max 10 seconds | Max 20 seconds |
| Resolution | 720p | Up to 1792p |
| Watermark | Yes | Pro users: No |
| Speed | Slower (low priority) | Faster (Tier priority) |
| API Access | ❌ Not supported | ❌ Separate subscription required |
Conclusion: Sora 2 has no truly free version. Even ChatGPT Plus users have limited free quota with restricted features.
II. Sora 2 Official Subscription Pricing
2.1 ChatGPT Plus Subscription ($20/month)
Includes:
- Full ChatGPT Plus features
- Basic Sora 2 generation quota (~30-50/month)
- Video length: Max 10 seconds
- Resolution: 720p, 1024p
- Watermark: Yes
Best For:
- Individual users, occasional Sora 2 use
- Primary ChatGPT users trying video generation
- Budget-conscious users needing basic features
Value Analysis:
- High value if primarily using ChatGPT with Sora 2 as bonus
- Low value if primarily using Sora 2 (quota insufficient)
2.2 ChatGPT Pro Subscription ($200/month)
Includes:
- Full ChatGPT Pro features
- Premium Sora 2 generation quota (~500-1000/month)
- Video length: Max 20 seconds
- Resolution: Up to 1792p
- Watermark: No
- Generation speed: High priority (Tier 5)
- Advanced features: Parameter control, batch generation
Best For:
- Professional creators (social media, video producers)
- Enterprise marketing teams
- Users needing high-quality, watermark-free videos
- Heavy Sora 2 users
Value Analysis:
- High value for heavy Sora 2 users
- Cost per generation: ~¥0.2-0.4 (500-1000 quota)
- Watermark removal is significant advantage
2.3 Subscription Comparison Summary
| Comparison | ChatGPT Plus | ChatGPT Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $20 | $200 | 10x |
| Sora 2 Quota | 30-50 | 500-1000 | 20x |
| Video Length | Max 10s | Max 20s | 2x |
| Resolution | 720p/1024p | Up to 1792p | Higher |
| Watermark | Yes | No | Quality leap |
| Speed | Slower | Fast (Tier 5) | Significant boost |
| Cost/Gen | ~¥0.4-0.7 | ~¥0.2-0.4 | Lower |
Recommendations:
- Plus: Individual users, occasional use
- Pro: Professional creators, frequent use, need watermark-free
III. Sora 2 Official API Pricing
3.1 API Billing Method
Sora 2 official API uses per-second billing, with costs determined by:
- Video duration (seconds)
- Resolution
- Model selection (sora-2 vs sora-2-pro)
Billing Formula:
Total Cost = Duration (seconds) × Resolution Factor × Model Factor
3.2 Official API Price Table (January 2025)
| Resolution | sora-2 Model | sora-2-pro Model | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p (1280×720) | $0.10/sec | $0.15/sec | Quick preview, low-cost testing |
| 1024p (1024×576) | $0.15/sec | $0.25/sec | General landscape videos |
| 1792p (1792×1024) | $0.30/sec | $0.50/sec | HD videos, professional production |
| Portrait (720×1280) | $0.15/sec | $0.25/sec | TikTok, Instagram, etc. |
Example Calculations:
- 10s 1024p video (sora-2 model): 10 × $0.15 = $1.5 ≈ ¥10.8
- 20s 1792p video (sora-2-pro model): 20 × $0.50 = $10 ≈ ¥72
Important Notes:
- API requires separate payment, not included in ChatGPT Plus/Pro
- Per-second billing, no refunds for failed generations
- Requires credit card, supports auto-billing
3.3 API Usage Cost Budgeting
Scenario 1: Content Creator (Daily Posts)
- Generate 2 × 10s 1024p videos daily
- Using sora-2 model
- Daily cost: 2 × 10 × $0.15 = $3 ≈ ¥21.6
- Monthly cost: ¥648
Scenario 2: E-commerce (Product Videos)
- Generate 1 × 10s 720p video for 100 products
- Using sora-2 model
- Total cost: 100 × 10 × $0.10 = $100 ≈ ¥720
- One-time cost: ¥720
Scenario 3: Enterprise Marketing (Promotional)
- Generate 1 × 20s 1792p HD promo video
- Using sora-2-pro model
- Total cost: 20 × $0.50 = $10 ≈ ¥72
- Per video cost: ¥72
Scenario 4: Education (Course Videos)
- Generate 5 × 15s 1024p educational videos weekly
- Using sora-2 model
- Weekly cost: 5 × 15 × $0.15 = $11.25 ≈ ¥81
- Monthly cost: ¥324
IV. Third-Party API Relay Service Comparison
4.1 Why Choose Relay Services?
Official API Pain Points:
- ❌ Requires international credit card
- ❌ Unstable access from China
- ❌ Technical skills required (API integration)
- ❌ Per-second billing, unclear costs
Relay Service Advantages:
- ✅ Supports local payment (WeChat, Alipay)
- ✅ Stable access, no proxy needed
- ✅ Simple web interface and API
- ✅ Package pricing, controlled costs
- ✅ Technical support and documentation
4.2 Major Relay Service Price Comparison
| Provider | Package Price | Included Quota | Cost/Gen | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APIYI | ¥100 | 150 gens (10s/1024p) | ¥0.67 | Batch generation, templates, support |
| Provider B | ¥150 | 180 gens (10s/1024p) | ¥0.83 | Basic features only |
| Provider C | ¥120 | 100 gens (10s/1024p) | ¥1.20 | No technical support |
| Official API | Per-second | – | ¥1.08 (10s/1024p) | Direct official access |
Value Analysis:
- APIYI: Low price, high quota, full features, best value
- Official API: For users with technical skills and international payment
- Other relays: Higher prices, limited features
4.3 APIYI Platform Advantages
1. Price Advantage:
- Package prices 30-40% lower than official API
- Bulk purchase discounts
- No hidden fees, transparent pricing
2. Stability:
- China-optimized network, fast access
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Auto-retry mechanism, refund on failure
3. Ease of Use:
- Web interface, no coding required
- API interface available for batch calls
- Detailed documentation and code examples
4. Rich Features:
- Prompt template library
- Batch generation management
- Cost analytics
- Multi-user collaboration
5. Technical Support:
- 7×12 hour online support
- Technical documentation and tutorials
- Community forums
🎯 Cost Tip: For users in China, we recommend using Sora 2 through APIYI apiyi.com platform. Compared to official API, you save 30-40% on costs while getting more stable access and comprehensive technical support. Package pricing ensures transparent costs without overspending concerns, perfect for budget-conscious individual creators and SMBs.
V. Cost Budgeting for Different Use Cases
5.1 Individual Users (Occasional Use)
Usage Frequency: 10-30 times/month
Option 1: ChatGPT Plus Subscription
- Monthly fee: $20 ≈ ¥144
- Includes 30-50 Sora 2 generations
- Can also use ChatGPT Plus
- Best for: Primary ChatGPT users, occasional Sora 2 use
Option 2: APIYI Package
- Purchase ¥50 package (75 generations)
- Lasts 2-3 months
- Average monthly cost: ¥17-25
- Best for: Sora 2 only, no ChatGPT needed
Cost Comparison:
- ChatGPT Plus: ¥144/month
- APIYI Package: ¥17-25/month
- Savings: 82-88%
5.2 Content Creators (Frequent Use)
Usage Frequency: 2-5 times/day
Option 1: ChatGPT Pro Subscription
- Monthly fee: $200 ≈ ¥1440
- Includes 500-1000 generations
- Watermark-free, high quality
- Best for: Need watermark-free, sufficient budget
Option 2: APIYI Monthly Package
- Purchase ¥300 package (600 generations)
- 20 generations/day capacity
- Monthly cost: ¥300
- Best for: Budget-conscious, high volume needs
Cost Comparison:
- ChatGPT Pro: ¥1440/month
- APIYI Package: ¥300/month
- Savings: 79%
Data Analysis:
- Daily posting account, 60 generations/month
- ChatGPT Pro: ¥1.44-2.88 per generation
- APIYI: ¥0.5 per generation
- Savings: 65-83%
5.3 E-commerce (Batch Generation)
Usage Needs: Generate showcase videos for 100-500 products
Recommended: APIYI Bulk Package
- Purchase ¥500 package (1000 generations)
- Can generate videos for 1000 products
- Cost per video: ¥0.5
- Best for: Batch generation, controlled costs
Traditional Filming Comparison:
- Traditional filming: 100 products × ¥500 = ¥50,000
- APIYI generation: 100 products × ¥0.5 = ¥50
- Savings: 99.9%
ROI Analysis:
- Investment: ¥50
- 30% conversion rate increase, assuming ¥1M monthly sales
- Incremental revenue: ¥300,000
- ROI: 6000x
5.4 Enterprise Marketing (Professional Production)
Usage Needs: 10-20 high-quality promotional videos/month
Option 1: ChatGPT Pro + Official API
- ChatGPT Pro: ¥1440/month (watermark-free)
- Official API supplemental quota: ¥500-1000/month
- Total cost: ¥1940-2440/month
- Best for: Need official direct access, high quality requirements
Option 2: APIYI Enterprise Package
- Purchase ¥1000 package (3000 generations)
- Generate 100-200 videos/month
- Monthly cost: ¥1000
- Best for: High volume needs, controlled costs
Traditional Production Comparison:
- Traditional production: 20 videos × ¥5000 = ¥100,000
- Sora 2 generation: 20 videos × ¥50 = ¥1000
- Savings: 99%
5.5 Educational Institutions (Course Production)
Usage Needs: 5-10 educational videos/week
Option 1: Apply for Education Free Plan
- Submit application, free use after approval
- Quota limitations apply
- Best for: Academic research, non-commercial use
Option 2: APIYI Education Discount Package
- Purchase ¥200 package (400 generations)
- 10 generations/week, lasts 10 weeks
- Monthly cost: ¥80
- Best for: Commercial educational institutions
Traditional Production Comparison:
- Traditional CG animation: ¥5000-10000 per video
- Sora 2 generation: ¥0.5 per video
- Savings: 99.99%
VI. Money-Saving Tips for Sora 2
6.1 Choose Appropriate Resolution
Not all scenarios need maximum resolution:
| Platform | Recommended Resolution | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok/Instagram | 720p portrait | Low | Mobile viewing, 720p sufficient |
| YouTube Shorts | 1024p | Medium | Balance quality and cost |
| Corporate promo | 1792p | High | Need HD, large screen display |
| Quick testing | 720p | Low | Test prompts, generate HD when satisfied |
Cost-Saving Strategy:
- Test prompts with 720p first
- Generate 1024p or 1792p when satisfied
- Avoid repeatedly generating high-resolution videos
Savings: 50-70%
6.2 Choose Appropriate Model
| Model | Quality | Speed | Cost | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sora-2 | Good | Fast | Low | General content, quick generation |
| sora-2-pro | Excellent | Medium | High (1.5-2x) | Professional production, high quality needs |
Cost-Saving Strategy:
- Use sora-2 model for daily content
- Use sora-2-pro for important content (promos, showcase videos)
Savings: 30-50%
6.3 Control Video Duration
Duration directly impacts cost:
| Duration | Cost (1024p/sora-2) | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 10s | ¥10.8 | TikTok, Instagram short videos |
| 15s | ¥16.2 | Instagram, YouTube Shorts |
| 20s | ¥21.6 | Complete expression, in-depth content |
Cost-Saving Strategy:
- Choose duration based on platform (10-15s sufficient for TikTok)
- Avoid meaningless duration extension
- Multi-segment stitching (generate multiple 10s clips, edit together)
Savings: 30-50%
6.4 Bulk Purchase Discounts
APIYI Platform Bulk Recharge Benefits:
| Recharge Amount | Bonus Quota | Effective Discount |
|---|---|---|
| ¥100 | 5% | 5% off |
| ¥500 | 10% | 10% off |
| ¥1000 | 15% | 15% off |
| ¥5000 | 20% | 20% off |
Cost-Saving Strategy:
- Bulk recharge based on monthly needs
- Share team account to split costs
Savings: 5-20%
6.5 Avoid Peak Hours
OpenAI Tier System:
- Peak hours (US evening): Slow generation, possible queuing
- Off-peak hours (US morning, Beijing evening): Fast generation
Cost-Saving Strategy:
- Generate during off-peak to avoid timeout waste
- Use relay services (like APIYI) with built-in queue retry and failure refunds
Savings: Avoid 10-20% waste
6.6 Optimize Prompts to Reduce Retries
Common Failure Reasons:
- Unclear prompt descriptions
- Content policy violations
- Technical parameter errors
Cost-Saving Strategy:
- Learn prompt writing techniques
- Use prompt template libraries
- Avoid sensitive content
- Test before batch generation
Savings: Avoid 20-30% waste
VII. Cost Comparison Summary
7.1 Official vs Relay Service Summary
| Dimension | Official API | ChatGPT Plus | ChatGPT Pro | APIYI Relay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | Pay-per-use | $20 (¥144) | $200 (¥1440) | ¥50-1000 (packages) |
| Cost/Gen | ¥1.08 (10s/1024p) | ¥2.88-4.8 | ¥1.44-2.88 | ¥0.5-0.67 |
| Watermark | No | Yes | No | No |
| Access Stability | Unstable in China | Unstable in China | Unstable in China | Stable |
| Payment | Intl credit card | Intl credit card | Intl credit card | WeChat/Alipay |
| Tech Barrier | Coding required | None | None | Low (Web+API) |
| Support | Limited | Limited | Priority | Comprehensive |
Best Choices:
- Individual occasional use: ChatGPT Plus or APIYI small packages
- Content creator frequent use: APIYI monthly packages
- Enterprise professional production: ChatGPT Pro + APIYI supplement
- E-commerce batch generation: APIYI bulk packages
7.2 Traditional Production vs Sora 2 Cost Comparison
| Application | Traditional Cost | Sora 2 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty Ad | ¥8,000 | ¥25 | 99.7% |
| Real Estate Promo | ¥50,000 | ¥60 | 99.9% |
| Car Ad | ¥200,000 | ¥80 | 99.96% |
| History Education | ¥100,000 | ¥30 | 99.97% |
| Product Showcase | ¥500 | ¥0.5 | 99.9% |
| Art MV | ¥100,000 | ¥600 | 99.4% |
Average Savings: Over 99%
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Sora 2 completely free?
Answer: No. Requires ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or Pro ($200/month) subscription, or official API (per-second billing), or third-party relay services (like APIYI, package purchase).
Q2: Which is more cost-effective, ChatGPT Plus or Pro?
Answer:
- Plus: For individual users, occasional use (30-50 times/month)
- Pro: For professional creators, frequent use (500-1000 times/month), need watermark-free
If using over 100 times/month, Pro is more cost-effective.
Q3: Which is better, official API or relay services?
Answer:
- Official API: For users with technical skills, international payment, need official direct access
- Relay Services (like APIYI): For users in China, supports WeChat/Alipay, lower price (30-40% savings), more stable access
For users in China, relay services are more suitable.
Q4: How to reduce Sora 2 usage costs?
Answer: 5 money-saving tips:
- Choose appropriate resolution (not always max quality)
- Choose appropriate model (sora-2 for daily, sora-2-pro for important content)
- Control video duration (based on platform needs)
- Bulk purchase discounts
- Optimize prompts to reduce retries
Combined savings: 50-70%
Q5: Do Sora 2 generated videos have watermarks?
Answer:
- ChatGPT Plus users: Yes
- ChatGPT Pro users: No
- Official API: No
- Relay services (like APIYI): Depends on package, premium packages are watermark-free
Q6: How should individual creators choose a payment plan?
Answer: Based on usage frequency:
- 10-30 times/month: ChatGPT Plus or APIYI ¥50 package
- 50-100 times/month: APIYI ¥200-300 packages
- 100+ times/month: ChatGPT Pro or APIYI ¥500+ packages
Recommend starting with small packages, adjust based on actual usage.
IX. Conclusions and Recommendations
9.1 Key Takeaways
1. Sora 2 is not free, but costs are controllable
- Official subscriptions: $20-200/month
- Official API: $0.10-0.50/second
- Relay services: ¥50-1000/package
2. Compared to traditional production, Sora 2 costs are extremely low
- Average savings over 95%
- ROI improvement: 20-2000x
3. Choosing the right payment plan is crucial
- Individual users: Plus or relay small packages
- Professional creators: Pro or relay monthly packages
- Enterprise users: Pro + API or relay enterprise packages
4. Money-saving tips can reduce costs by 50-70%
- Wisely choose resolution, model, duration
- Bulk purchase discounts
- Optimize prompts to reduce retries
9.2 Recommended Solutions
Individual Users (Occasional Use):
- Recommended: APIYI ¥50 package (75 generations)
- Average monthly cost: ¥17-25
- Advantages: Low cost, pay as needed
Content Creators (Frequent Use):
- Recommended: APIYI ¥300 package (600 generations)
- Monthly cost: ¥300
- Advantages: 79% cheaper than Pro, full features
E-commerce (Batch Generation):
- Recommended: APIYI ¥500 package (1000 generations)
- Cost per video: ¥0.5
- Advantages: Batch generation, extremely low cost
Enterprise Marketing (Professional Production):
- Recommended: ChatGPT Pro ($200) + APIYI supplement
- Monthly cost: ¥1500-2000
- Advantages: Watermark-free, high quality, flexible supplementation
Educational Institutions (Course Production):
- Recommended: APIYI ¥200 package (400 generations)
- Monthly cost: ¥80
- Advantages: Low cost, suitable for batch production
🎯 Final Recommendation: For users in China, we recommend prioritizing APIYI apiyi.com platform. Compared to official API, you save 30-40% on costs, support WeChat/Alipay payments, stable access without proxy. Package pricing ensures transparent costs without overspending concerns. Comprehensive technical support and documentation help you get started quickly. Whether individual creators or enterprise users, you'll find suitable package solutions for cost optimization.
Related Reading:
- What is Sora 2? 5-Minute Guide to Revolutionary AI Video Generation
- What Can Sora 2 Do? 10 Real Cases Showcasing AI Video Capabilities
- How to Write Sora 2 Prompts? 10 Templates to Master Prompt Techniques
Last Updated: 2025-10-09