Veo 3.1 vs Sora 2: Capabilities and Availability in 2026
A source-backed comparison of Veo 3.1 and Sora 2, including synchronized audio and the official Sora product's current availability.
The most important difference in 2026 is availability, not a subjective winner. Google continues to describe Veo 3.1 as a current video model with native audio. OpenAI describes Sora 2 as a video-and-audio model, but its official system-card page states that the Sora product has not been available since April 26, 2026.
This article was last verified on August 12, 2026 against the Google DeepMind Veo page and the OpenAI Sora 2 System Card. SkyVid availability was checked separately against the product's public model catalog.
TL;DR
- Both models support audio. The old claim that Sora 2 was visual-only was incorrect.
- Veo 3.1 is currently listed in SkyVid's public model catalog.
- Sora 2 is not currently listed in SkyVid's public model catalog.
- OpenAI's official page says the Sora product is no longer available, so SkyVid does not present Sora 2 as a current generator option.
Source-backed capability comparison
| Capability | Veo 3.1 | Sora 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Video generation | Yes | Yes |
| Native / synchronized audio | Yes | Yes |
| Text prompt input | Yes | Yes |
| Image-guided generation | Yes | OpenAI documented limited image-upload support during rollout |
| Official product status | Current Google model page | Sora product retired April 26, 2026 |
| Current SkyVid catalog | Available | Not available |
Google says Veo 3.1 generates video with native audio and highlights prompt adherence, realism, and creative control. Google also notes that consistent spoken audio remains an area of active development.
OpenAI introduced Sora 2 as a state-of-the-art video-and-audio model with synchronized audio, improved physical realism, steerability, and stylistic range. Those model capabilities are distinct from product availability: OpenAI's current footnote says the Sora product is no longer available.
Which model can you use on SkyVid today?
Veo 3.1 is selectable in SkyVid's current generator catalog. Sora 2 is not. The generator itself is the source of truth for enabled models, supported settings, and the credit charge shown before submission.
If you need an alternative, visit the current model catalog or open the text-to-video generator. Depending on the shot, current choices include Veo 3.1, Seedance 2.0, Kling 2.6, Runway, Wan 2.7, and Hailuo 2.3.
FAQ
Does Sora 2 generate audio?
Yes. OpenAI describes Sora 2 as a video-and-audio generation model with synchronized audio.
Can I generate with Sora 2 on SkyVid?
Not currently. Sora 2 is not in SkyVid's public model catalog, and OpenAI says the official Sora product has not been available since April 26, 2026.
Is Veo 3.1 available on SkyVid?
Yes. Veo 3.1 is currently present in the public model catalog. Availability and pricing can change, so confirm the model and displayed credit cost in the generator before starting a job.
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