Introduction
Among PhD scholars and early-career researchers in India, there is a widespread perception that free journals are slower than paid journals in publishing research articles. This belief often influences journal selection, especially under pressure to meet deadlines for submission, thesis approval, or academic promotions. But is this always true? This blog explores the realities behind publication timelines in free versus paid journals, separating myth from fact.
Understanding Free Journals
Free journals do not charge authors any fees for submission, processing, or publication. These journals are usually funded by universities, research institutions, or scholarly societies. Their aim is to promote open science or support academic discourse without creating financial barriers for researchers.
Examples include:
- Government-funded Indian journals listed in UGC-CARE
- Society-led publications by bodies like the Indian Academy of Sciences
- Journals supported by universities or public research organisations
These journals may operate with limited editorial staff and rely heavily on volunteer peer reviewers, which can impact processing speed. However, many free journals uphold excellent academic standards and rigorous peer review.
What About Paid Journals?
Paid journals, particularly open-access ones, charge an Article Processing Charge (APC) to cover editorial services, peer review, and digital hosting. These are not necessarily predatory. Many reputed journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and even UGC-CARE charge fees.
Some scholars assume that paying a fee guarantees faster publication. While it’s true that some paid journals offer a quicker turnaround—especially those with professional editorial teams and dedicated infrastructure—it is not universally the case. Speed varies by publisher, discipline, and internal processes, not merely by payment.
Why Free Journals Might Seem Slower
There are several reasons why free journals may appear slower in comparison to paid ones:
- Volunteer Editorial Boards
Many free journals are managed by professors or researchers on a voluntary basis. Without dedicated full-time staff, tasks such as manuscript screening, coordination of peer review, and editing can take longer.
- Limited Peer Reviewer Availability
Since reviewers are not compensated, free journals may face delays in finding available reviewers, especially for specialised topics.
- Batch Publication Schedules
Some free journals publish only two or three issues per year. Even after acceptance, a paper may have to wait months for the next scheduled issue.
- Manual Processes
Free journals may lack the automated submission systems and editorial software that streamline workflows in commercial platforms.
But Are Paid Journals Always Faster?
Not necessarily. While some paid journals process submissions faster due to better infrastructure and staff, others may also experience delays due to backlog, high submission volume, or internal inefficiencies.
Moreover, fast publication does not always indicate quality. Some predatory journals advertise publication within 48–72 hours—without proper peer review. These are unethical and should not be confused with legitimate paid journals.
Even reputable paid journals often take 6 to 12 weeks for peer review. Additional time is required for revisions, copyediting, and final publication.
Factors That Truly Affect Publication Speed
Whether a journal is free or paid, the following factors often play a larger role in determining how quickly a paper is published:
- Quality and readiness of the manuscript
Well-prepared, properly formatted manuscripts with clear arguments and ethical citations move faster through peer review.
- Peer reviewer availability
Delay in reviewer responses is a common bottleneck in both paid and free journals.
- Editorial efficiency
Journals with streamlined workflows, timely communication, and editorial discipline tend to publish faster, regardless of fees.
- Field of study
Some disciplines (like computer science) have faster publication cycles, while others (like humanities) move more slowly.
A Balanced Perspective for Indian Researchers
Indian PhD scholars often feel pressured by university timelines, especially when thesis submission or promotion criteria require at least one or two journal publications. This can create a temptation to choose paid journals promising quick results. But speed should not be the only deciding factor.
Instead, scholars should consider:
- Is the journal UGC-CARE-listed or indexed in Scopus/Web of Science?
- Does it follow a transparent peer review process?
- Is there clear communication about timelines and processes?
- Does the journal maintain ethical publishing standards?
Sometimes, a free journal might take longer, but it could carry more academic weight in your discipline. In contrast, a paid journal might publish your work faster, but without indexing or quality control, it may not help your academic career.
Conclusion
So, are free journals slower than paid ones?Theanswer: not always, and not necessarily. While free journals may have limited resources and fewer issues per year, many of them follow a structured and rigorous process. Paid journals can offer faster turnaround, but speed depends on many factors beyond fees.
For Indian researchers, the choice should not be dictated by cost or speed alone. Instead, focus on journal credibility, indexing, peer-review standards, and ethical practices. A well-researched and well-written paper will find its place in a quality journal—whether free or paid.