Key Points
- OpenAI caps free Sora video generations at six per day.
- Google reduces Nano Banana Pro free image generations to two per day.
- Both companies cite overwhelming demand and resource strain.
- OpenAI’s Bill Peebles says GPUs are “melting” and offers paid options.
- Google warns limits may change “without notice.”
- Paid tiers for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and other services remain unaffected.
- Access to Google’s Gemini 3 Pro appears restricted for free users.
Background
Both OpenAI and Google have experienced a surge in usage of their latest AI generation tools. OpenAI’s video generation platform, Sora, and Google’s image generation service, Nano Banana Pro, have attracted large numbers of free‑user requests, prompting the companies to reassess resource allocation.
New Limits Introduced
OpenAI announced that free users of Sora will now be limited to six video generations per day. Bill Peebles, who leads Sora at OpenAI, explained the change by stating, “Our gpus are melting.” He added that while the caps are not described as temporary, users can “purchase additional gens as needed,” indicating a shift toward monetizing the service. The limits for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers remain unchanged, though specific figures were not disclosed.
Google, meanwhile, has reduced the daily free‑user image generation allowance for Nano Banana Pro from three to two images per day. The adjustment was first observed by 9to5Google, which also reported that Google warned the limits could change frequently and “without notice,” a practice the company says is standard following popular releases. In addition to the image cap, Google appears to be restricting free users’ access to its Gemini 3 Pro model.
Implications and Industry Response
The imposed caps reflect the companies’ need to balance user demand with the finite computational resources required for high‑quality AI generation. By limiting free usage, both OpenAI and Google aim to preserve system stability while encouraging users who require higher volumes to adopt paid tiers. The statements from company representatives suggest that the measures are part of a broader strategy to monetize these increasingly popular AI tools.
Observers note that such limits could affect casual creators who rely on free access for experimentation, though the availability of paid options offers a pathway for more intensive use cases. The lack of a clear timeline for when, or if, the caps might be lifted leaves the user community watching for further updates.
Source: theverge.com