OpenAI’s Sora: AI Video Generation Tool Review

Sora is the AI-powered video generation tool developed by OpenAI. It functions as a text-to-video model, converting text descriptions into animated, realistic clips. It also allows you to extend existing videos or animate static images.

This type of AI tool is highly relevant for SMEs, as it reduces technical barriers, costs, and time in audiovisual production. Instead of requiring cameras, studios, or specialized personnel, this tool enables businesses to develop short videos for social media, campaigns, or educational content quickly.

AgentAya Verdict: Sora

Sora represents an ambitious and highly attractive proposition for SMEs looking to incorporate generative video into their strategies with limited resources. Its strength lies in its ability to generate clips directly from text, with decent visual quality and coherent movement.

But it’s not perfect: it has restrictions on clip duration, mandatory watermarks on generated videos, and possible regional access limitations. Additionally, like many emerging AI tools, results may require adjustments or iterations to achieve the desired finish.

In summary: Sora is an excellent exploratory tool for SMEs wanting to get started with generative video, especially for short-form content. It doesn’t replace professional advanced editing tools, but it can quickly build valuable material at low cost.

Score Breakdown

Category	Score	Brief Description
Features and Functionality	3.9 ⭐⭐⭐	Good set of generative features, but with current limitations.
Integrations	3.5 ⭐⭐⭐	Partially integrates with OpenAI ecosystem/related products, but few visible external commercial integrations.
Language and Support	4.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Interface and documentation available in multiple languages; regional support may vary.
Ease of Use	4.1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Prompt-centered usage, moderate learning curve; quite accessible for simple clips.
Value for Money	3.7 ⭐⭐⭐	Competitive for occasional use; for intensive use, limitations and watermarks may weigh heavily.

AgentAya Overall Score: 3.9 ⭐⭐⭐

Sora is a very attractive option for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to get started in generative video, with a clear value proposition, though its current limitations prevent it from being considered complete for advanced workflows.

Main Features of Sora

• Text-to-video generation, allowing descriptions to be translated into animated clips.
• Animation of static images, where photographs or illustrations can be brought to life.
• Extension or filling of existing videos, to lengthen clips or complete missing frames.
• Control over camera angles, movement, and transitions between shots.
• Support for different formats and aspect ratios (horizontal, vertical, square) depending on final use.
• Use of diffusion models + transformers to produce visual continuity between frames.

These functions allow you to convert ideas and concepts into animated clips without filming, facilitate rapid iterations, reduce external production costs, and accelerate content delivery for social media or campaigns.

AI Functions

The “intelligent” part of Sora lies in its diffusion model combined with transformer architecture, which enables the generation of coherent video with temporal context and maintains consistency between frames even when objects are temporarily hidden.

Additionally, Sora internally rewrites the prompt with more detail to better guide visual generation, which helps the resulting video align more closely with the user’s intent.

It’s also capable of processing multiple frames simultaneously, which improves continuity (for example, ensuring an object maintains its appearance even if it leaves the frame and returns).

By comparison, traditional software would require the user to manually design each scene, transition, and effect; Sora automates that visual generation using AI logic, enabling clip production with less technical intervention.

Integrations

Sora is part of the OpenAI ecosystem and integrates with related products in that family.

For example, Microsoft Bing has incorporated generative video functions powered by Sora, allowing users to create videos from text directly within Bing.

Security and Data Compliance

OpenAI indicates that videos generated with Sora include a visible, moving watermark as a security measure to distinguish generated content from real content.

Regarding data ownership, users have rights to their prompts and generated content, and OpenAI has stated it does not train its models directly with private user data without consent.

Additionally, recent research has proposed the use of adaptive graphical watermarking to strengthen the watermark integrated into videos generated by Sora, as part of the “Safe-Sora” approach to protect content against malicious watermark removal.

Language – Customer Support

OpenAI offers support in multiple languages, and Sora has localized versions.

This is an advantage for international users, as they can find help and documentation in their preferred language.

Language – The Tool Itself

The Sora AI interface is available in multiple languages, facilitating use by international users.

The model accepts prompts in multiple languages (not just English) and adapts the video to the user’s intent, which is key for adoption in global markets.

This linguistic localization allows international users to write native prompts without prior translation, reducing friction in adoption.

Mobile Access (iOS, Android, Others)

Sora has a presence as a mobile application. For example, Sora 2 was launched as an iOS app.

It also appeared listed on Google Play (although in some countries only for pre-registration).

However, some functions might be limited on mobile compared to the web version (due to processing capacity, cache, editing UI).

Additionally, there is research on On-device Sora, a model for generating videos directly on mobile devices without requiring server processing, which could expand future mobile capabilities.

Support, Onboarding, and Account Management

OpenAI guides new users with documentation, guides, and tutorials on how to use Sora.

Those who are already OpenAI users (ChatGPT Plus, Pro) may have initial access to Sora functions as part of their subscription.

For SMEs with little technical experience, Sora offers a simple starting point (writing a prompt) but will require trial and error to optimize results; having guides or a local onboarding process would be ideal.

Ease of Use / UX

The Sora user experience centers on prompt-to-video, which is intuitive: you write your idea, adjust certain parameters, and get a clip. For simple cases, this flow is straightforward and fast.

To obtain more refined results, it’s necessary to practice with prompts, iterate versions, and adjust descriptions and parameters, which requires some learning curve.

An SME could start seeing results within a few hours of use, generating short clips for social media and then improving their prompts with experience.

Pricing and Plans

Access to Sora is integrated into the OpenAI ecosystem. At launch, Sora is included in the OpenAI Plus subscription at no additional cost (with limits), and Pro users get greater capacity.

Limits are established such as generating up to 50 videos at 480p resolution or fewer, or fewer videos at 720p, for entry-level users.

Pro plans offer multiplied capacity, higher resolution, and possibly extended duration.

The pricing model is based on subscription tier plus usage credits. For SMEs, this model can be suitable if they don’t need intensive video production; for higher demands, it may require a Pro plan or additional credits.

Case Study

A small digital training consultancy had an online presence with articles and webinars but wanted to diversify with short video content for social media and 10-15 second educational stories. They didn’t have professional audiovisual equipment.

Through their OpenAI Plus subscription, they enabled access to Sora. They generated short clips to explain key concepts (for example: “What is SEO for SMEs?”) with text prompts. They then adjusted visual style, duration, and vertical format for social media. Within two weeks, they had created 30 clips ready for publication.

Compared to the previous method (outsourcing video to local contractors), the company reduced production costs by at least 60%, decreased waiting times from days to hours, and increased social media engagement by offering animated and educational content regularly. They also used Sora to animate images of charts or statistics for visual posts, creating dynamism.

This small case shows that an SME with modest resources can leverage Sora to complement their content production and improve visibility with minimal investment.

Tool vs Alternatives

Tool	Advantages	Disadvantages
Sora	Direct generation from text with visual continuity and advanced models; OpenAI backing; ability to extend or animate.	Mandatory watermark, limited duration (currently ~20 seconds), still emerging approach.
Canva AI	Very accessible interface, integration with already familiar graphic design, complete visual environment.	Less pure generative control, lower power for video extension or creative animation.
Pika Art	Rapid production of visually striking clips; focus on visual impact content.	Less control, more artistic than structural focus, possible lack of institutional backing.
Veo 3 (Gemini)	Cinematic quality, generation with integrated sound and automatic synchronization; great coherence between shots; Google integration.	Limited to short clips, restricted access and language support still partial.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Sora good for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?

Yes, especially for SMEs that want to start producing short videos without hiring technical studios. Its generative approach helps reduce entry barriers.

Does Sora support multiple languages for video generation?

Yes. Sora offers localized versions and accepts prompts in multiple languages, making it accessible to international users.

How long is a video generated by Sora?

The current version allows clips of up to 20 seconds.

Do videos generated by Sora have watermarks?

Yes, all videos include a visible, moving watermark as a security measure to distinguish generated content.

What are the best alternatives to Sora for AI video?

Some notable options are Canva AI Video, ideal for creators who prioritize ease of use and integration with graphic design; Pika.art, focused on rapid generation of visually impactful clips; and Veo 3 (Gemini), which offers cinematic quality with integrated sound and automatic synchronization thanks to Google technology. The choice depends on the level of creative control, desired visual quality, and available resources.