Article Processing Charges, or APCs, are fees that some publishers charge to make an article openly available to the public. These charges help cover the costs of editorial work, peer review, typesetting, hosting, and long-term access. APCs are most commonly associated with Gold and Hybrid Open Access models.
Not all open access journals charge APCs—Diamond/Platinum OA journals typically do not. When choosing where to publish, it’s important to check the APC policy, consider funding options (such as institutional support or grant allowances), and evaluate the journal’s quality and reputation.
Things to Consider About APCs
Cost: How much is the APC, and is it within your budget?
Funding: Does your institution, library, or grant cover APCs?
Journal Quality: Is the journal reputable and indexed in major databases?
Predatory Publishers: Is the APC charged by a legitimate publisher with transparent practices?
Licensing: What rights do you retain, and what license is used (e.g., CC BY)?
OA Mandates: Does the journal meet your funder or institutional open access requirements?
Not all journals that charge Article Processing Charges (APCs) are predatory. Many reputable open access publishers use APCs to support peer review, editorial services, and long-term access. However, predatory publishers exploit the open access model by charging fees without providing proper editorial or peer review processes.
| Legitimate OA Journals | Predatory Publishers |
|---|---|
| Transparent APCs with clear breakdown of services | Hidden or misleading fees |
| Rigorous peer-review process and editorial services | Little to no peer review |
| Indexed in major databases | Often not indexed or falsely claim to be |
| Clear author rights and licensing terms | Vague or deceptive copyright policies |
| Affiliated with known academic society or publishers | Unfamiliar or fake affiliations |
| Clear contact info and editorial board listed | Missing or questionable editorial board |
