OpenAI discontinued Sora on March 24, 2026. The Sora web app closes on April 26, 2026, and the API closes on September 24, 2026. Contia gives you 12+ active video models, batch generation, and pay-as-you-go pricing without a subscription.
Sora was compelling for simple consumer video generation. Contia is a better fit if you need active models, side-by-side testing, batch runs, and a workflow that survives a shutdown.
Shutdown announced
March 24, 2026
OpenAI discontinued Sora and started the shutdown timeline.
Web app closes
April 26, 2026
Teams using the consumer Sora experience need a replacement before this date.
API closes
September 24, 2026
Anyone building on Sora's API needs a fallback plan this year.
Contia video stack
12+ models
Kling O3, Veo 3.1, Seedance, Wan 2.6, and other active options in one workflow.
| Category | Contia | Sora |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 12+ active video models available today across multiple providers. | Shutdown in progress: web closes April 26, 2026, API closes September 24, 2026. |
| Pricing | Pay as you go with no subscription. Images start at $0.024 and video pricing depends on model and duration. | No stable forward pricing path because the product is being retired. |
| Workflow | Grid editor for batch jobs, side-by-side model testing, and a persistent asset library. | Simple consumer workflow, but no long-term batch or team production path now. |
| Best fit | Creators, agencies, and teams producing repeatable video work at volume. | People who wanted a single OpenAI consumer video product. |
For polished cinematic clips and strong ad-style motion.
A strong first stop if you liked Sora for visual polish and narrative feel.
For higher-fidelity scenes, native audio, and premium outputs.
Use it when quality matters more than raw iteration speed.
For dependable short-form motion and fast social content loops.
A practical option for teams shipping many prompt variants every week.
For cost-efficient iteration when you need lots of tests.
Useful for narrowing direction before spending on premium video renders.
Step 1
Bring over your best prompts, references, and aspect-ratio presets from Sora before the deadlines.
Step 2
Re-run them across 2-3 Contia video models in the grid editor to compare motion, realism, and cost side by side.
Step 3
Keep winning clips in the shared asset library and standardize each use case on the model that performs best.
Each preset opens the app with a recommended model and an example prompt already filled in.
Best first preset for glossy cinematic ads and premium product motion.
Use it when you want a polished Sora-like starting point with stronger commercial motion.
Starter prompt
Cinematic product launch shot of a premium smartwatch rotating on a reflective pedestal, dramatic rim light, subtle camera push-in, realistic metal textures, shallow depth of field, luxury ad look
Best for high-fidelity scenes, stronger realism, and native audio-ready outputs.
Pick this when your Sora workflow leaned toward premium brand films or narrative scenes.
Starter prompt
Wide cinematic street scene at blue hour, a cyclist rides through light rain past neon storefronts, realistic reflections on wet asphalt, natural camera tracking, cinematic realism, ambient city sound design
Best for fast social iterations, short-form loops, and dependable batch testing.
Start here if you need to replace Sora with something practical for repeated weekly production.
Starter prompt
Vertical lifestyle video for social media, energetic creator unboxing a new sneaker in a sunlit studio, crisp hand motion, clean background, punchy transitions, premium creator campaign aesthetic
Join the waitlist, get starter credits, and test multiple video models before the Sora shutdown deadlines hit your workflow.
Join the waitlist