> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.drdevroy.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 10 Peer-Reviewed Open Access Psychology Journals - URL: https://www.drdevroy.com/open-access-psychology-journals/ - Published: 2025-12-17T02:33:45.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-26T21:13:54.000Z - Description: Compare 10 open access psychology journals by fees ($899-$3,980), review times, and styles. Find your ideal research fit. - Author: Dr Dev Roychowdhury - Tags: Resources, Research ## Finding the Right Journal for Your Research Publishing your research can feel overwhelming. You need a journal that is credible, fast, and affordable. Open access journals make your work freely available to readers worldwide. This matters because it increases your impact and reach.​ But not all open access journals are equal. Some charge high fees. Others take months to review your work. Some accept almost anything, while others maintain rigorous standards. This guide lists 10 [peer-reviewed](https://www.drdevroy.com/demystifying-academic-peer-review/) open access [psychology](https://www.drdevroy.com/psychology/) journals. Each entry includes key details you need to make an informed choice. 📚 ****What You Get:** A comparison of APC fees, review times, referencing styles, and journal scope to help you select the right outlet for your work. --- ## How to Use This Resource Choosing a journal requires you to balance several factors. Here is how to use this guide effectively. **Step 1 – Identify your priorities** Ask yourself what matters most. Is it cost, speed, or prestige? Write down your top three priorities. **Step 2 – Match your research to journal scope** Read the description for each journal. Check whether your research fits their focus. A good fit increases your chances of acceptance.​ **Step 3 – Compare costs and timelines** Look at the APC fees and review times. Factor these into your funding and publication timeline. Some journals offer waivers or discounts. **Step 4 – Check referencing requirements** Note the referencing style each journal uses. This saves time during submission. APA, Harvard, and Vancouver are the most common styles. 🎯 ****Pro Tip:** Create a shortlist of 3-5 journals before you start writing. This helps you tailor your manuscript to the journal's audience and requirements. --- ## Why Open Access Matters for Psychology Research Open access removes barriers to knowledge. Readers do not need to pay or have institutional access. This is especially important in psychology, where research should reach professionals, educators, and the public.​ Studies show that open access articles receive more citations than paywalled articles. Your work reaches a wider audience. More people can use your findings in practice and policy.​ Open access also supports equity in research. Researchers in lower-income countries can access and contribute to the scientific conversation. This also helps address the [WEIRD bias in psychology](https://www.drdevroy.com/psychology-is-a-weird-science/).​ 📊 ****Research Says:** Open access articles in psychology receive more citations on average compared to subscription-based articles, with the gap widening over time.​ --- ## The 10 Journals: Full Comparison Below is a detailed breakdown of each journal. Use this section to compare options side by side. ## 1\. Frontiers in Psychology **Country:** Switzerland **APC Fee:** USD $3,980 **Review Time:** First decision \~1–2 months; Submission to Acceptance \~3–4 months **Referencing Style:** Harvard or Vancouver **Website:** [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology?ref=drdevroy.com) Frontiers in Psychology is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed open access journal covering all areas of psychology from cognitive and social to clinical and developmental research. 💡 ****Key Insight:** As a mega-journal, Frontiers in Psychology has a moderate-to-high acceptance rate, which may affect perceived selectivity. --- ## 2\. BMC Psychology **Country:** United Kingdom **APC Fee:** USD $1,990 **Review Time:** First decision \~2–3 weeks; Submission to Acceptance \~3–4 months **Referencing Style:** BMC/Springer style **Website:** [https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/](https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/?ref=drdevroy.com) BMC Psychology publishes research across all psychological disciplines, and is part of the BioMed Central family. 💡 ****Key Insight:** BMC Psychology encourages submissions using a variety of research methods, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches, as well as basic and translational research. --- ## 3\. Journal of Psychological Experience **Country:** Australia **APC Fee:** USD $899 **Review Time:** First decision \~1 week; Submission to Acceptance \~2–4 weeks **Referencing Style:** APA 7th Edition **Website:** [https://jpsyexp.org/](https://jpsyexp.org/?ref=drdevroy.com) Journal of Psychological Experience is an open access peer-reviewed journal in psychology committed to amplifying underrepresented voices in psychological sciences. The journal covers all subfields of psychological sciences, and has an extremely fast and streamlined review process. The low APC fee makes it accessible for researchers with limited funding. 💡 ****Key Insight:** Journal of Psychological Experience offers significant advantages over other journals – lowest APCs among open-access psychology journals; dedicated author profiles to boost visibility and reach; and high-quality publication and sharing, among others – which makes it ideal for researchers with limited funding. --- ## 4\. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications **Country:** United Kingdom **APC Fee:** USD $1,890 **Review Time:** Not officially published; typically \~6–12 months (can take longer) **Referencing Style:** Nature style **Website:** [https://www.nature.com/palcomms/](https://www.nature.com/palcomms/?ref=drdevroy.com) This is a broad open access journal covering research from the social sciences and humanities, including psychology-related work. 💡 ****Key Insight:** The Nature Portfolio brand adds prestige; however, the review time tends to be much longer and less predictable. --- ## 5\. Communications Psychology **Country:** United Kingdom **APC Fee:** USD $2,090 **Review Time:** Not officially published; typically \~6–12 months (can take longer) **Referencing Style:** Nature style **Website:** [https://www.nature.com/commspsychol/](https://www.nature.com/commspsychol/?ref=drdevroy.com) This is an open access psychology journal from the Nature Portfolio focused on psychological science and replication studies. 💡 ****Key Insight:** The Nature Portfolio brand adds prestige; however, the review time tends to be much longer and less predictable. --- ## 6\. Collabra: Psychology **Country:** United States **APC Fee:** USD $1,450 **Review Time:** First decision \~4–6 weeks; Submission to Acceptance \~1–2 months **Referencing Style:** APA 7th Edition **Website:** [https://online.ucpress.edu/collabra/](https://online.ucpress.edu/collabra/?ref=drdevroy.com) Published by the University of California Press, this journal has 7 sections representing the broad field of psychology. 💡 ****Key Insight:** It welcomes replication studies and null results. The review process is reasonably fast and fair. --- ## 7\. Psychology International **Country:** Switzerland **APC Fee:** USD $1,782 **Review Time:** First decision \~4 weeks; Submission to Acceptance \~2–3 weeks **Referencing Style:** MDPI style **Website:** [https://www.mdpi.com/journal/psycholint](https://www.mdpi.com/journal/psycholint?ref=drdevroy.com) Formerly known as *Psych*, this MDPI journal publishes research across various psychology subfields. 💡 ****Key Insight:** As a mega-journal, MDPI has a moderate-to-high acceptance rate, which may affect perceived selectivity. MDPI journals are known for fast turnaround times. The review process is efficient. --- ## 8\. Behavioral Sciences **Country:** Switzerland **APC Fee:** USD $2,788 **Review Time:** First decision \~4 weeks; Submission to Acceptance \~2–3 weeks **Referencing Style:** MDPI style **Website:** [https://www.mdpi.com/journal/behavsci](https://www.mdpi.com/journal/behavsci?ref=drdevroy.com) This MDPI journal focuses on behavioural psychology, cognition, mental health, and related areas. It is fully open access and peer-reviewed. 💡 ****Key Insight:** As a mega-journal, MDPI has a moderate-to-high acceptance rate, which may affect perceived selectivity. MDPI journals are known for fast turnaround times. The review process is efficient. --- ## 9\. Acta Psychologica **Country:** Netherlands **APC Fee:** USD $2,600 **Review Time:** First decision \~2 weeks; Submission to Acceptance \~4–6 months **Referencing Style:** APA 7th Edition **Website:** [https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/acta-psychologica](https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/acta-psychologica?ref=drdevroy.com) Acta Psychologica is an open access journal that aims to publish articles relevant to all fields of psychology. 💡 ****Key Insight:** The fast initial decision is helpful. However, the total time to publication can vary and be much longer. The journal is published by Elsevier, which adds credibility and reach. --- ## 10\. Cogent Psychology **Country:** United Kingdom **APC Fee:** USD $2,630 **Review Time:** First decision \~1–2 weeks; Submission to Acceptance \~3–4 months **Referencing Style:** APA 7th Edition **Website:** [https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/oaps20/current](https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/oaps20/current?ref=drdevroy.com) Cogent Psychology is an open access journal in the psychology community, publishing original research, reviews and replications. 💡 ****Key Insight:** The journal is published by Taylor & Francis, which adds credibility and reach. It offers fast initial feedback, but the total review and publication times can vary and be much longer. --- ## Balancing Cost, Speed, and Quality Every researcher faces trade-offs. Here is how to balance the key factors. **If cost is your priority:** Look at Journal of Psychological Experience ($899) or Collabra: Psychology ($1,450). Both offer robust peer-review and streamlined submission processes. **If speed is your priority:** Consider Journal of Psychological Experience (\~1 week first decision) or Acta Psychologica (\~2 weeks first decision). These journals process manuscripts quickly and efficiently. **If prestige matters most:** Frontiers in Psychology and Communications Psychology are highly cited. The Nature Portfolio journals carry strong brand recognition. **If you value open science practices:** All of the listed journal value the principles of open science. You choose a journal based on the best fit and requirement. ⚠️ ****Important:** Avoid predatory journals that promise fast, easy publication. --- ## What to Do Next You now have a clear comparison of 10 credible open access peer-reviewed psychology journals. Here is your next step: 1. Revisit your priorities. Write them down. 2. Shortlist 2–3 journals that match your research, budget, and timeline. 3. Visit each journal's website. Check the Instructions for Authors and Submission guidelines. 4. Prepare your manuscript (and all other documents) according to the journal's guidelines. 5. Submit! 💡 ****Remember:** The best journal for your research is one that reaches your target audience, maintains rigorous peer review, and fits your budget.