Open access vs. closed access

Understanding the differences between open access and non-open access publishing

Articles that appear in open access journals are freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This increases their reach and visibility, eliminating traditional barriers to scholarly content. In contrast, articles published in closed access, subscription-based journals are initially accessible only to individuals whose institutions hold the necessary licences.

Open access publishing also offers extensive licensing options. These include open content licenses such as Creative Commons (CC), which grant comprehensive reuse rights.

Differences in business models

A key distinction lies in how the two models are funded:

• Closed access journals rely on subscription fees, charging readers for access.
• Open access journals often require authors to pay publication fees, known as article processing charges (APCs), while access for readers is free.
• In diamond open access, neither subscription nor publication fees are charged; instead, the costs of producing the journal are covered by funding from alternative sources.

Researchers should determine early on whether their target journal charges publication fees and check what funding is available.

Differences in format

To prioritise accessibility and visibility, open access journals are exclusively published in electronic formats. In contrast, non-open access journals sometimes offer a print edition in addition to their electronic version.

No difference in quality assurance, reputation or visibility!

A common misconception is that open access journals are of lower quality or somehow provide less prestige and visibility compared to traditional journals. This view is not supported by the facts. Open access journals also conduct peer reviews and are indexed in major databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus.

While predatory journals ‒ i.e. journals that charge publication fees without providing proper editorial services or peer review ‒ typically employ an open access model, this does not imply that all open access journals are problematic. Verified open access journals are listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and the DOAJ Seal is awarded to those journals that demonstrate best practice in open access publishing.

The increased visibility of open access publications often leads to higher citation rates ‒ a phenomenon known as the citation advantage ‒ though the magnitude of this effect tends to differ across disciplines.

Navigating open access mandates and policies

Many research funders now require publications to be open access. Such mandates often include support measures, however, such as funding for publication fees or the development of infrastructure for open access publishing. Researchers should factor in open access requirements early on in the process of applying for grants and planning their publication strategy.

Many universities and research institutions actively encourage open access publishing through dedicated policies. To facilitate this, they offer a range of support mechanisms, including publication funds, publisher agreements, institutional repositories and specialised advisory services.

See also

What does the term 'open access' mean?
What do Creative Commons licenses offer?
Publication fees: what are the different ways of covering article processing charges?
Predatory or bogus journals in open access publishing
Journal quality and standing: which aspects are relevant to open access?
Funding: what requirements do funders impose in regard to open access?
Peer Review: Why is it important? ​​​​​​​

Disclaimer

Important note: The information and links provided here do not represent any form of binding legal advice. They are solely intended to provide an initial basis to help get you on the right track. ZB MED – Information Centre for Life Sciences has carefully checked the information included in the list of FAQs. However, we are unable to accept any liability whatsoever for any errors it may contain. Unless indicated otherwise, any statements concerning individual statutory norms or regulations refer to German law (FAQ updated 12/2024).