As JAMS transitions into a freemium model, it is natural to wonder what this means for the quality and reliability of the services available.
The short answer is simple: the standards remain the same. JAMS continues to uphold the same robust submission workflows, rigorous peer review processes, and dependable infrastructure as ever before.
The shift to freemium is an expansion of accessibility, not a reduction in value.
Proven technological expertise
Backed by decades of experience in scholarly communication, the team behind JAMS has developed and refined systems that support hundreds of Open Access journals across a wide range of disciplines.
This deep operational knowledge translates directly into a platform built for stability, scalability, and long‑term growth.
JAMS benefits from infrastructure that supports high submission volumes, complex editorial workflows, and the need for seamless collaboration among authors, editors, and reviewers.
Continuous innovation ensures that the platform evolves with your journal’s changing needs.
Has JAMS changed?
With the introduction of its new freemium model, JAMS is designed to advance open science while upholding your journal’s core values.
The system incorporates industry-standard tools, including iThenticate, ORCID, and Portico at no additional cost to freemium customers.
These additions represent key pillars of modern scholarly publishing:
- Plagiarism detection through iThenticate ensures that submitted work meets rigorous originality standards;
- Researcher identity management via ORCID supports accurate author attribution across all scholarly systems;
- Portico’s digital preservation ensures research can be accessed and archived in future.
By embedding these services directly into the freemium tier, this not only elevates the customer experience but also aligns the platform with OA publishing best practices.
Human-centred approach
Crucially, JAMS has maintained its commitment to human-centred support.
Editorial assistance remains fully accessible, and users will not be redirected to automated chatbots or generic help systems. Instead, dedicated support staff continue to provide personalised guidance. This ensures that editors and publishers receive timely, informed responses to their questions.
To further enhance the user experience, JAMS offers dedicated onboarding assistance for all freemium users. This ensures that new journals can transition smoothly onto the platform. Also, editors understand its features and submissions can be managed with confidence.
Transparent pathways
As your journal grows, JAMS provides a clear and transparent progression pathway to premium features. These options are communicated upfront, ensuring there are no hidden fees or unexpected costs.
The goal is to empower publishers with the information they need to make informed decisions based on their journal’s size and long-term ambitions.
A key component of this structure is the 20-manuscript threshold attached to the freemium subscription. This threshold is intentionally designed to support genuine small publishers rather than restrict growth.
It allows the support team to maintain a manageable customer base within the freemium tier, ensuring that each journal receives the attention it deserves. When a journal’s submission volume exceeds this threshold, the transition to premium services becomes a natural and transparent next step.
Positive customer feedback
Managing Editor Kara Mitchell Viesca kindly shared her experience working with JAMS. Explaining, ‘As a small, new journal without substantial funding, we explored many options and are super happy to have found JAMS.
She continued, ‘The system itself is very robust and capable of more than we even realised we would need. Also, the support we have received has been top-notch. We have had the opportunity to customise much of the system for our needs, and we’ve had excellent communication throughout the process.’
Concluding, she states that she ‘highly recommends JAMS’, reaffirming our commitment to providing high-quality services and innovative publishing solutions.
Investing in infrastructure
JAMS’ commitment to its editorial partners won’t change based on pricing tier. Whether a journal is operating within the freemium model or has upgraded to premium services, the level of dedication, support, and quality remains the same.
This philosophy reflects JAMS’ broader mission to strengthen scholarly communication by providing reliable, high-performing tools to publishers of all sizes.
Ongoing investment in high-quality infrastructure ensures that the platform continues to evolve, making scholarly publishing more accessible for all.