Microsoft announced the launch of Bing Video Creator on Monday, a new AI-powered tool integrated into its Bing mobile app that lets users generate short videos from text prompts for free.
This feature is powered by OpenAI’s Sora model, marking the first time Sora’s video generation is available without a subscription, as previously it was restricted to paying clients.
Bing Video Creator: How it works and user access
Bing Video Creator allows users to create five-second videos simply by describing what they want to see in text. Users with a Microsoft account can generate up to ten videos at no cost.
After that, additional videos require spending 100 Microsoft Rewards points each, which can be earned through Bing searches or Microsoft Store purchases.
The tool supports queuing up to three video creations simultaneously but currently only produces vertical 9:16 aspect ratio videos, ideal for sharing on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. Microsoft plans to add horizontal 16:9 format support soon.
The video generation process can take several minutes to hours, even in the “fast” mode designed to speed up creation. Users receive notifications when their videos are ready and can download or share them. Videos are stored on Microsoft’s servers for 90 days before deletion.
Microsoft’s strategy and Sora’s role in AI video creation
This integration continues Microsoft’s deep partnership with OpenAI, following the earlier addition of OpenAI’s DALL-E image generator to Bing in 2023. Microsoft aims to democratize AI video creation by making Sora accessible to a broad audience through Bing’s free service.
Microsoft stated, “Bing Video Creator embodies our commitment to making AI video generation accessible to everyone,” emphasising simplicity and creativity at users’ fingertips.
Sora, previewed in early 2024 and launched for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users later that year, had a slow start due to issues like hallucinations and lengthy generation times. By embedding Sora into Bing, Microsoft hopes to boost its adoption and provide a seamless AI video creation experience directly within its search ecosystem.
Bing Video Creator is available worldwide on iOS and Android devices, excluding China and Russia. Desktop and integration with Microsoft Copilot Search are expected soon, expanding access beyond mobile users.
This launch signals Microsoft’s push to embed advanced AI tools into everyday applications, enabling users to generate creative content quickly without complex software. The free access to Sora-powered video generation is a notable step in bringing AI video creation to the masses, encouraging experimentation and sharing across social media platforms.