AI Video Tool Comparison
OpenAI Sora vs Wan
Two of the biggest AI video generators of 2026, side by side. Pricing, features, real festival winners, and which one to pick for your project.
OpenAI Sora
by OpenAI
OpenAI's text-to-video model that shocked the industry with its February 2024 demo. Sora 2 (2025) launched as a consumer app before being shut down in March 2026 over rights disputes.
Strengths
- +Photorealistic world simulation
- +Strong prompt understanding from GPT-4
- +Best for surreal and impossible physics
- +Massive marketing reach
Weaknesses
- -Sora 2 standalone shut down March 2026
- -Sora 1 limited to ChatGPT Plus subscribers
- -Rights disputes still unresolved
- -No clear public roadmap
Wan
by Alibaba
Alibaba's open-source AI video model. Wan 2.7 added strong character consistency across shots and runs locally via ComfyUI for unlimited free generation.
Strengths
- +Fully open source - run locally for free
- +Best character consistency in open models
- +ComfyUI workflow integration
- +No content filters when self-hosted
Weaknesses
- -Requires GPU and ComfyUI knowledge
- -Steeper learning curve
- -Slower than cloud models
Pick OpenAI Sora if you need
- • Concept art motion
- • Text-to-shot iteration
- • Quick creative sparks
Pick Wan if you need
- • Power users
- • Self-hosters
- • Unlimited iteration
- • Custom workflows
Festival track record
OpenAI Sora
OpenAI's Sora Selects showcase tour featured 10 emerging filmmakers in 2025
Wan
Open-source video generation that rivals proprietary cloud models