3 min read
If you rely on free plans for AI generation, things just got significantly tighter. Both OpenAI and Google have quietly reduced access for free users as of today, November 29, 2025. Demand is surging, and GPU costs are skyrocketing. Consequently, you now get fewer daily prompts and video generations than you did even a week ago.
Here is everything you need to know about the new restrictions.
OpenAI Limits Sora Access
OpenAI has officially limited access to Sora 2, its flagship AI video generation tool. Free users are now restricted to just six video generations a day.
Bill Peebles, the head of Sora at OpenAI, addressed the change directly on X. Peebles tweeted:
Our GPUs are melting and we want to let as many people access Sora as possible!
we’re setting usage limits for free users to 6 gens/day. chatgpt plus and pro users have unchanged limits, and everybody can purchase additional gens as needed. our gpus are melting, and we want to let as many people access sora as possible!
— Bill Peebles (@billpeeb) November 28, 2025
He confirmed the new limit of six generations per day for free accounts. This move aims to manage the massive compute demand caused by video generation. Creating a video is far more power-hungry than generating text. Therefore, rationing access gives OpenAI’s servers necessary downtime.
However, if you are a ChatGPT Plus or Pro user, your limits remain unchanged. Peebles also noted that everyone can purchase additional generations as needed.
Google Downgrades Gemini & Nano Banana Pro
Google has simultaneously tightened its belt. The tech giant has removed its previous promise of five prompts per day on Gemini 3 Pro.
According to a new support article, Google now describes free access simply as “basic access”. This means daily limits may change frequently without specific numbers being guaranteed. This is a sharp change from the launch of Gemini 3 Pro just last week, which initially matched the allocation of the previous Gemini 2.5 Pro model.
Furthermore, image generation has taken a hit. Nano Banana Pro, the associated image generator, is now fixed at a strict limit of two images per day for free users. Previously, it allowed up to three.
Fortunately, users on paid Google AI Plans are unaffected. You still receive up to 100 prompts a day on Google AI Pro and up to 500 prompts on Google AI Ultra.
Why the Sudden Change?
These simultaneous clampdowns might seem like a coincidence. However, they signal a maturing industry wrestling with hardware costs.
The “melting GPUs” comment from OpenAI highlights the physical reality of running modern AI websites. As demand explodes, companies are gently steering users toward paid tiers. While these top-tier tools aren’t going anywhere, the days of generous free access appear to be numbered.
