Journal and Manuscript Submission (JAMS) has launched a new freemium pricing model aimed at widening access to professional journal management tools for small and independent scholarly publishers. The move transitions JAMS from a fully fee-based platform to a two-tier system offering free access for journals publishing up to 20 manuscripts annually.
The new model is designed to address longstanding barriers faced by smaller publishers, Diamond Open Access journals, and emerging publications, particularly in the Global South. Unlike traditional submission platforms that apply charges from the first manuscript, the JAMS freemium tier provides access to enterprise-level submission and peer review platforms at no cost for eligible journals.
Under the updated pricing structure, the Starter tier offers free use of the platform for journals publishing up to 20 manuscripts per year, with a per-article fee applied beyond that threshold. A Premium tier has also been introduced for established commercial publishers and societies, providing additional services such as migration support and custom development options.
The freemium launch builds on MDPI’s experience in open access publishing, developed through managing hundreds of journals and partnerships with learned societies over more than two decades. This background is intended to ensure that free-tier users benefit from established workflows and industry-standard practices.
JAMS has positioned the new model as a response to market conditions in which a significant proportion of publishers rely on basic solutions like Open Journal Systems (OJS) or manual processes. The platform is designed to provide a lower-risk pathway for publishers to transition to modern editorial infrastructure without upfront financial commitments.
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