Low APC journals can provide a middle path when no-fee options do not fit the manuscript and standard open-access charges exceed the available budget. Cost should be evaluated after relevance and legitimacy.
The prices below come from the current PapeReview catalog snapshot. Treat them as screening information and confirm the final charge in the publisher’s official pricing or submission system.
Quick answer: This guide uses a listed APC between $1 and $1,500. Taxes, discounts, institutional agreements, waivers, article type, and currency changes can alter the final amount.
Journal list and current catalog signals
The table presents 12 examples from 122 matching catalog records. SJR, H-index, and quartile refer to the linked SCImago data year in the catalog. Fees and policies must be verified on the official journal website.
| Journal | Quartile | SJR | H-index | APC | Country | Pre-review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caspian Journal of Environmental SciencesUniversity of Guilan | Q3 | 0.234 | 20 | $250Listed APC | Iran | Pre-review |
| Journal of Taibah University Medical SciencesElsevier | Q3 | 0.508 | 41 | $625Listed APC | Netherlands | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in Dermatological MedicineJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q3 | 0.261 | 11 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in Obstetrics and GynecologyJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q3 | 0.252 | 12 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in AnesthesiologyJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q3 | 0.234 | 9 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in Critical CareJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q3 | 0.191 | 10 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in ImmunologyJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q4 | 0.261 | 8 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in PsychiatryJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q4 | 0.228 | 11 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in MedicineJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q4 | 0.207 | 30 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in NephrologyJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q4 | 0.186 | 11 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in Veterinary MedicineJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q4 | 0.179 | 10 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
| Case Reports in PulmonologyJohn Wiley and Sons Ltd | Q4 | 0.151 | 9 | $870Listed APC | United Kingdom | Pre-review |
Data note: APCs change frequently. Every amount in this guide must be rechecked with the publisher immediately before submission. Search the complete Journal Finder.
How to choose from this list
Set an all-in budget
Allow for taxes, currency conversion, page charges, colour figures, optional open access, and institutional reimbursement rules.
Look for waivers and agreements
Country-based waivers, society membership, funder agreements, and institutional read-and-publish deals can materially change the cost.
Confirm journal legitimacy
Verify the publisher, ISSN, indexing record, editorial information, and official submission portal before paying anything.
Compare value, not fee alone
Scope fit, editorial quality, discoverability, licensing, archiving, and review process matter more than the lowest price.
Check the manuscript against the journal you selected
PapeReview evaluates clarity, methods, evidence, contribution, limitations, and journal-target fit before you enter the publisher submission system.
Frequently asked questions
Does a low APC indicate low quality?
No. Business models and subsidies differ. Evaluate editorial and indexing evidence independently from price.
Are taxes included in the listed APC?
Not necessarily. Publisher checkout, location, and tax rules determine the final amount.
Can a waiver reduce the APC further?
Possibly. Check the journal’s current waiver, discount, and institutional agreement policies.
Sources and verification
PapeReview combines catalog fields from journal and publisher records with DOAJ and SCImagoJR-linked information. These services answer different questions: DOAJ focuses on open-access journal records, while SCImagoJR presents Scopus-based citation indicators. PapeReview adds filtering and a manuscript pre-review workflow but does not replace official publisher verification.