OpenAI has expanded access to its Sora AI image generation tool, now making it free to use directly within ChatGPT. Users can simply type a prompt, and Sora will create high-quality, photorealistic images — no subscription needed. This move puts OpenAI in closer competition with platforms like Midjourney and DALL·E, offering users powerful visual content creation with just text input.
Sora Image Generator: Free to Use, With Premium Video Add-On
While the image generator is now open to all users, Sora’s AI video generation capability remains exclusive to Plus and Pro subscribers. This premium feature supports HD video outputs of up to 20 seconds, reflecting the intensive compute demands behind realistic video generation.
How to Use Sora in ChatGPT
Sora can be accessed directly through the ChatGPT interface. Users must create a unique username, which is publicly associated with their generated content. You can download your creations in PNG format — watermark-free — but metadata confirms the image’s AI origins. Downloads of other users’ media are restricted to protect original content.
Styles, Presets, and Media Library
Sora supports multiple aspect ratios and lets users pick from stylistic presets like Pixel Art, Cartoonify, Film Noir, and Balloon World to guide image aesthetics. You can also generate multiple image variations from the same prompt. All created content is saved in your personal media library, organized under tabs like My Media, Favorites, and Uploads for easy navigation.
Social Feed for Shared Inspiration
In a move that mirrors popular visual platforms, Sora offers a community feed showcasing AI-generated images and videos from other users. It’s designed like a social media interface, encouraging exploration and creativity by browsing shared content from the wider user base.
Sora Brings Generative AI Closer to Creators
With this rollout, OpenAI is democratizing AI image generation, allowing anyone to experiment with advanced tools without needing a paid plan. While video features are still gated, the free image tool opens the door to broader creative engagement, positioning ChatGPT as a central hub for visual and conversational AI.
