SideFX (Houdini) vs Sora
Compare features, pricing, and capabilities side by side
Professional procedural 3D and VFX software for film, TV, games, simulations, lookdev, rendering, Houdini Engine, and Pipeline & AI workflows.
Sora was OpenAI's AI video generation app, but it is discontinued. Melies is now a practical Sora alternative for filmmakers who need GPT Image-style visual development, top video models such as Seedance and Veo, and a full project workflow.
| SideFX (Houdini) | Sora | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | paid | discontinued |
| Starting Price | Free Apprentice; Indie $299/year; Core $1,415/year; FX $3,369/year | Discontinued |
| Primary Category | VFX | All-in-one AI Filmmaking |
| Capabilities | VFXVideo EditingAll-in-one AI Filmmaking | Video GenerationVideo EditingVFXAll-in-one AI Filmmaking |
| Popularity Score | 47 | 90 |
| Website | sidefx.com | openai.com |
SideFX (Houdini) Pricing Details
Houdini Apprentice is free for non-commercial use. Houdini Indie is $299/year for studios under $100K USD revenue. Commercial annual rentals list Houdini Core at $1,415/year, Houdini FX at $3,369/year, Karma Global Access at $195/year, and Houdini Engine at $525/year.
Sora Pricing Details
Sora web/app access ended on April 26, 2026. OpenAI says the Sora API will discontinue on September 24, 2026.