MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) has announced the availability of a new ‘freemium’ pricing model. The new model offers a comprehensive starter tier allowing journals to publish up to 20 manuscripts per year with full submission-system functionality for free. Affordable scaling options are then available as journals grow. The model will be driven by the company’s Journal and Article Management System (JAMS).

It is hoped this new model will help smaller journals, particularly those in underserved markets and the global south, to pursue growth and impact. This will mean that journals in their infancy will have access to a system that guarantees rigor and quality, at no cost.

This approach is already being implemented through partnerships with emerging journals, like Racial Justice in Multilingual Education (RJME). RJME signed with JAMS in November 2025. The journal is operated by a small editorial team, who sought a professional and user-friendly solution to submission management.

Dr. Kara Mitchell Viesca, managing editor of RJME, said: "We’ve had a great experience working with JAMS. As a small, new journal without substantial funding, we explored many options and are super happy to have found JAMS. The system itself is very robust and capable of more than we even realized we would need.”

“Also, the support we have received has been top-notch. We have had the opportunity to customize much of the system for our needs. And throughout the entire process, we’ve had excellent, timely communication and support for every aspect of our use of JAMS."

Silvano Bonfatti, JAMS product manager at MDPI, said: “Our new ‘freemium’ model represents a fundamental shift in how academic publishing technology is delivered to young journals, removing financial barriers that have traditionally prevented smaller journals from accessing professional-grade editorial systems.”

“This strategic evolution positions JAMS as the most accessible and transparent editorial partner for small and independent publishers, combining transparent pricing with genuine partnership.”

About JAMS

JAMS is a customizable journal management system that provides end-to-end support across the entire publishing process, combining scalable technology, expert consulting, and a mission-driven approach to supporting journals of every size at every stage.

More information about JAMS’ new pricing model can be found at: https://jams.pub/pricing

About MDPI

Headquartered in Switzerland, MDPI is a fully Open Access publisher with a portfolio of more than 500 journals across all scientific disciplines. To date, MDPI has published the works of over 4.2 million researchers, collaborating with an extensive network of academic institutions and scientific societies worldwide. Above all, MDPI is committed to ensuring that high-quality research is freely accessible to readers across the globe.

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