JAMS is a journal management system that is committed to simplifying and strengthening the scholarly publishing process through a freemium model. Designed as an end-to-end solution, JAMS integrates all essential journal management tasks into a single, intuitive platform.
From submission handling to peer review coordination and editorial decision-making, the system streamlines workflows, allowing editors to focus on what matters most: ensuring the quality and integrity of academic research.
What is JAMS?
At its core, JAMS is a powerful management system. It provides editors with a suite of tools that can help at every stage of the publishing cycle. From submission to publication, JAMS can support journals throughout the whole process. Submissions can be tracked in real time, reviewers can be assigned with ease, and decisions can be made transparently and efficiently. By using a journal management system, you and your team can be freed up to focus on other tasks—saving time and money along the way.
As the platform has grown, so has its technological maturity. Today, JAMS is robust and scalable enough to support a new chapter in its evolution. Here, we introduce our freemium subscription model, designed to foster long-term success for many publishers.
What is a freemium model?
A freemium model allows users to access a product or service in its basic form at no cost. Additional features, enhanced capabilities, or advanced support are available through paid tiers. This approach has become increasingly common across digital platforms because it lowers the barrier to entry while still offering a clear pathway to more comprehensive solutions.
For smaller publishers, emerging journals, or institutions with limited budgets, a freemium model provides the opportunity to explore the platform’s capabilities without financial commitment. They can familiarise themselves with the workflow, test the tools, and see how JAMS aligns with their editorial needs. After testing, users can decide whether to invest in premium features when their needs grow.
This flexibility is particularly valuable in a publishing landscape where resources vary widely, but operational demands continue to grow.
Why did JAMS go freemium?
The move to a freemium model reflects JAMS’ broader mission to make scholarly publishing accessible for everyone. Recent studies from 2023–2024 highlight persistent pricing barriers that disproportionately affect small publishers and institutions in the Global South. These organisations often face limited funding, fluctuating budgets, and infrastructural challenges that make it difficult to adopt effective publishing systems.
By transitioning away from a purely revenue-driven model, JAMS is prioritising inclusivity and long-term community impact. The goal is not only to expand the customer base, but to ensure that more editors, researchers, and institutions can benefit from a reliable, high-quality publishing infrastructure.
This shift is made possible by the platform’s stability and maturity. The freemium model builds on a strong foundation, opening the door for many more journals to join.
Supporting Diamond open access publishing
One of the most significant advantages of the freemium model is its alignment with Diamond open access (OA) publishing.
Diamond OA is a community-driven model in which articles are freely available to read, and authors are not charged publication fees. This approach removes financial barriers on both sides of the publishing equation, promoting equity and broadening participation in global research.
Freemium positions JAMS to compete directly with open source solutions, which have traditionally been the preferred choice for Diamond OA journals due to their low cost and high customisability. Open source tools allow anyone to use, modify, and distribute the software, fostering collaboration and transparency within the research community.
How JAMS bridges the gap
While open source platforms offer flexibility, they often require technical expertise and ongoing maintenance, which are resources that not all publishers possess.
JAMS bridges this gap by offering a no-cost entry point combined with the reliability, security, and support of a professionally managed system. In doing so, it strengthens the infrastructure available to Diamond OA publishers and contributes to a more diverse and sustainable scholarly ecosystem.
Looking ahead, JAMS aims to support more than 500 journals in achieving their publishing goals. This reflects a commitment to growth, but also to creating meaningful opportunities for editors and publishers. In particular, these stakeholders may otherwise be excluded due to budget constraints.
Backed by experience
With over two decades of experience in open access publishing, JAMS’ team can provide a strong foundation for your journal.
As the academic landscape continues to evolve, the need for accessible, efficient, and transparent publishing tools has never been greater. Open science initiatives, increased research output, and growing expectations for editorial accountability all place new demands on publishers.
And JAMS is designed to meet these challenges head-on. We offer a solution that supports both established journals and those just beginning their journey.
Committed to accessibility
By adopting a freemium model, JAMS reinforces its commitment to democratising scholarly publishing. It empowers editors with the necessary tools, regardless of financial constraints. It also contributes to a more inclusive and equitable research environment.
In doing so, it helps ensure that high-quality research remains accessible. By advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and supporting the future of open science, we can achieve those goals.