Open access explained
Are open access journals predatory?
No. Open access is a publishing model, not a quality label. Many respected journals make articles openly available. The risk arises when a publisher uses deceptive practices, hides important terms or fails to provide the editorial and publishing services it claims.
Maintained by the Beallslists.com editorial review team · Evidence reviewed: · Current verification cycle: 2026
Open access and predatory publishing are different concepts
An open-access journal may be funded by APCs, institutions, societies, libraries, grants or other models. Charging an APC is not evidence of predatory publishing. The important questions are whether the journal is transparent about its fees, provides genuine editorial and peer-review services, and accurately represents its identity and indexing.
Signs of a transparent open-access journal
- Fees and waiver policies are easy to find before submission.
- Copyright and license terms are clear.
- Peer review and editorial decision-making are explained.
- Editors and publisher ownership are identifiable.
- Indexing claims can be verified independently.
- Archiving, corrections and retractions are addressed.
Do not use APC size as a shortcut
A high APC does not automatically mean predatory, and a low or zero APC does not automatically mean trustworthy. Evaluate what the journal actually provides and whether its claims are verifiable.
How to check an unfamiliar OA journal
Use the journal checker, review APC transparency, and search reputable directories such as DOAJ where relevant. If your funder or institution has open-access requirements, check those requirements separately.
Independent sources used in this guide
- Think. Check. Submit. — practical journal and publisher due-diligence checklist
- Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing — joint transparency principles used by DOAJ, COPE, OASPA and WAME
Database coverage and publisher practices can change. Check the official source directly before making a submission, promotion, funding, or assessment decision.