Navigating academic publishing often feels like managing a budget rather than focusing purely on research quality. High Article Processing Charges (APCs) can quickly become a barrier for PhD scholars, early-career researchers, and independent academics seeking to share their work with the global scientific community.
When we built our vision at Tholga and launched The Journal Selection Guide series, our primary goal was simple: to make indexed, reputable publishing pathways more transparent and accessible. Researchers should not have to compromise on visibility or stretch their research budget simply to make their work accessible.
That is where Diamond Open Access (OA) models come in. Unlike traditional Open Access models where authors may pay an APC, or subscription models where readers pay to access research, Diamond OA journals are completely free for both authors to publish and readers to access.
As part of our journal selection process, we shortlist journals based on the relevant academic discipline rather than selecting journals arbitrarily. For this series, we have focused on journals listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) that offer free open access to authors and readers.
For Week 02, we are expanding our selection to highlight Diamond Open Access journals across a range of scientific and research areas, including physics and astronomy, entomology, computer science, big data, health technology, and numerical cognition.
Researchers can also search directly on DOAJ to find open access journals that best match their specific research area, manuscript type, and publication requirements.
In this second blog of our weekly series, we present eight Diamond Open Access journals that researchers should know about in 2026.
Open Access Journals Without Payment – Diamond OA
Here is an overview of selected indexed Diamond OA venues, along with their primary indexing and current performance metrics:
- Living Reviews in Relativity
Focus Area: Physics and astronomy, particularly research related to relativity and associated areas of theoretical physics.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. CiteScore: 75.0 | Quartile: Q1 | Impact Factor: 53.58.
- FragmentaEntomologica
Focus Area: Insect science, ecology, evolution, behaviour, and systematics.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. CiteScore: 0.89 | Quartile: Q3 | Impact Factor: 0.5.
- Logical Methods in Computer Science
Focus Area: General and theoretical computer science, with emphasis on logical methods and foundational areas of computing.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. CiteScore: 2.0 | Quartile: Q2 | Impact Factor: 0.845.
- Big Data Mining and Analytics
Focus Area: Information systems, artificial intelligence, big data, data mining, and analytics.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. CiteScore: 12.0 | Quartile: Q1 | Impact Factor: 10.07.
- Journal of Universal Computer Science
Focus Area: General computer science, covering a broad range of topics within the computing and information technology fields.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. CiteScore: 2.6 | Quartile: Q3 | Impact Factor: 1.01.
- StudiaIuridica Lublinensia
Focus Area: Legal research and developments across different areas of law.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus. Web of Science coverage: Not listed. CiteScore: 0.4 | Quartile: Q2 | Impact Factor: Not available.
- Health Technology Assessment in Action
Focus Area: Health technology assessment and research related to the evaluation and application of health technologies.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus. Web of Science coverage: Not listed. CiteScore: 0.4 | Quartile: Q4 | Impact Factor: Not available.
- Journal of Numerical Cognition
Focus Area: Numerical cognition and related research in applied mathematics and cognitive science.
Indexing and Metrics: Indexed in Scopus. Web of Science coverage: Not listed. CiteScore: 1.0 | Quartile: Q1 | Impact Factor: Not available.
Understanding the Practical Differences
When determining where to submit your manuscript, looking only at whether a journal is free to publish is not enough. Researchers should evaluate the journal’s subject scope, indexing coverage, quartile, and available citation metrics before making a submission decision.
Living Reviews in Relativity stands out for researchers working in physics and astronomy, particularly those seeking a highly visible Q1 venue with strong citation performance across Scopus and Web of Science.
Fragmenta Entomologica provides a more specialised publication pathway for researchers working in insect science, ecology, evolution, behaviour, and systematics. Its focused scope may make it particularly relevant for manuscripts addressing specific areas of entomological research.
Logical Methods in Computer Science is suited to researchers working in theoretical and foundational areas of computer science. Its focus makes it different from broader computer science journals that cover applied or multidisciplinary computing research.
Big Data Mining and Analytics is particularly relevant for researchers working with big data, data mining, artificial intelligence, and information systems. Its Q1 positioning and strong citation metrics make it an option worth considering for research that fits its specific scope.
Journal of Universal Computer Science offers broader computer science coverage, making it potentially suitable for research that does not fall neatly into one highly specialised computing subfield.
Studia Iuridica Lublinensia provides an option for researchers in legal studies, with Scopus indexing and a Q2 position according to the metrics presented in our selection.
Health Technology Assessment in Action is focused on health technology assessment and related research, making subject fit particularly important when considering this journal for submission.
Journal of Numerical Cognition provides a specialised venue for research related to numerical cognition and associated mathematical and cognitive research, with a Q1 position in the category shown in our selection.
The key takeaway is that there is no single “best” journal for every researcher. The right choice depends on the relationship between your research topic, journal scope, indexing requirements, and publication goals.
What Scholars Should Check Before Submitting
While Diamond OA journals remove financial barriers, rigorous evaluation of target venues remains essential:
- Verify Database Coverage: Indexing statuses can change. Double-check the journal’s current listing directly on the official Scopus Sources or Master Journal List and Web of Science Master Journal List before submission.
- Review Scope and Guidelines: Ensure your manuscript’s research questions, methodology, and subject area directly fit the journal’s recent aims and scope. A strong manuscript can still face immediate rejection if it falls outside the journal’s scope.
- Assess Journal Metrics: CiteScore, quartile rankings, and Impact Factor can help you understand a journal’s visibility and standing. However, these metrics should be considered alongside subject fit, editorial standards, and indexing status.
- Check Recent Publications: Review recently published articles to determine whether the journal regularly publishes research similar to yours. This can give you a clearer understanding of whether your manuscript is a genuine fit.
- Assess Turnaround Times: Review recently published issues and the journal’s information for authors to understand expected timelines from submission through peer review and final decision.
Final Thoughts
Publishing without an APC does not mean compromising on academic visibility. Diamond Open Access provides researchers with a publishing model that removes financial barriers for both authors and readers.
However, “free to publish” should never be the only criterion for journal selection. Researchers should evaluate indexing, subject relevance, journal scope, citation metrics, editorial practices, and submission requirements before choosing a publication venue.
The journals featured in this week’s selection demonstrate that Diamond OA options exist across a wide range of scientific and research fields. Whether your research is in physics, computer science, entomology, health technology, mathematics, or another specialised field, exploring the right no-APC journal can help you make a more informed publishing decision.
And remember: always verify the journal’s current indexing status and publication policies before submitting your manuscript.
Disclaimer
- Tholga is not affiliated with any of these journals, nor does it receive any remuneration from the listed publications. This initiative aims solely to share factual information about indexed Diamond Open Access venues for researchers.
- Authors are advised to verify indexing status, citation metrics, publication policies, and submission guidelines directly through Scopus, Web of Science, DOAJ, or the official journal websites before submitting.
