OpenAI has unveiled a significant update to its Sora AI video generation platform, introducing paid add-ons for users who exceed their daily free quota. Under the new policy, free-tier users—including ChatGPT Plus and Teams subscribers—can generate up to 30 videos per day, while Pro users are allotted 100 daily generations. Once this limit is reached, users must purchase an additional pack of 10 video credits for $4 (approximately ₹320) to continue creating content. Currently available primarily on iOS, Sora is expected to roll out support for Android and expanded regional payment options in the near future.
The maker of ChatGPT explained that the new monetization model addresses the substantial operational costs associated with Sora’s advanced video synthesis technology. The company emphasized that generating realistic AI-powered videos demands significantly more computational resources than producing text or images, requiring high-performance GPUs, extensive storage, and considerable bandwidth to maintain service reliability as user demand scales.
Bill Peebles, head of Sora, stated that offering unlimited or extremely generous free quotas is “simply unsustainable” given the soaring compute expenses and rapid global adoption. While current daily limits remain unchanged for now—100 videos for Pro users and 30 for others—the AI pioneer hinted that these allowances could be further reduced in the coming months if usage continues to climb.
“Everyone’s current rate limits stay the same (100/day for Pro, 30/day for others). We need to increase daily generation capacity for Sora 2 Pro to make the economics work—the video models really are expensive!” Peebles noted.
In parallel with the credit-based system, the AI leader is rolling out new features to enhance Sora’s capabilities. Among the most anticipated additions is the “Cameo” feature, which enables users to create videos featuring real individuals or fictional characters. This update allows creators to license their digital likenesses or personas, earning revenue whenever others use them in Sora-generated videos. Led by Sam Altman, the company appears to be laying the groundwork for what it calls a “Sora economy”—a marketplace where users pay for premium functionalities while also monetizing their own digital assets through collaborative content creation.
