Open access is a model permitting free, unrestricted access to research publications. Within this model there are different types of open access, each with their own distinct conditions. For authors looking to publish a research article, gold open access (gold OA) and green open access (green OA) are two of the most popular types of open access. However, these conditions behind these models can quickly become limitations for authors, ultimately complicating or obstructing publication with fees and embargo periods. In contrast, preprints can offer a much smoother route to publication.
In this article, we explain exactly what gold and green OA are, the conditions (and limitations) of each, and propose how preprints resolve the open access publishing debate.
What is gold open access?
Gold open access is perhaps the most widely adopted type of open access for journal article publishing. The model seeks to transfer the costs of access from readers to an author’s institution. These institutions pay direct fees called article processing charges (APCs) to journals to cover the costs of publishing and maintaining the scholarly content.
Gold OA is typically favoured amongst big publishers like Springer Nature, who describe the publishing model as the ‘most open and most sustainable’ route to publication for authors.
However, APCs are substantial (the global average for one article being around $1,600). These fees are typically covered by:
- Dedicated institutional funds for open access publishing
- Funders via block grants or overheads
- Publishing deals between universities and individual publishers
- APC funding included in initial research grant application budget
- The author(s) themselves.
APCs are just one element of the gold OA model. Before authors or insitutions cover the publishing fees, submitted papers must first pass peer review. This process typically involves several rounds of external review carried out by scholarly experts in the field.
Once the paper has passed peer review and been accepted by the journal and the APCs have been covered, the research paper is published immediately as open access without an embargo period.
What is green open access?
Green open access is also known as self-archiving. This model involves authors depositing versions of their research articles in an open access repository, separate to the finished manuscript being published by a journal.
Self-archiving takes place either alongside journal publication or at a later date. It is possible for both preprints and post-prints, depending on whether the research has already undergone peer review.
Green OA involves no article processing charges for the author but may involve an embargo period before publication.
Gold vs green open access
The reason why the ‘gold vs green open access’ debate lingers within academic publishing is because both models have significant limitations to publication.
Finding funding to cover article processing charges for gold OA can be a complex process. Authors need to enter many points of communication with different institutions or funding bodies to see if these parties are receptive to covering any costs. On top of that, acquiring funding may be conditional or competitive due to limited funds. If all funding avenues have been exhausted, authors are left with no choice but to cover the costs themselves.
Green OA does not involve article processing charges for authors, liberating them from financial burdens. However, the model is limited by time-dependent publishing restrictions. Self-archiving is only possible after an embargo period, usually 6–12 months after journal acceptance or publication. Zero-embargo green open access offers immediate publication, but only at a reduced cost in comparison to gold OA APCs.
How preprints resolve the debate
Preprints are a unique type of research publication. This is because they offer authors the chance to overcome the model-specific limitations of gold and green open access.
No article processing charges
Unlike gold OA, publishing a preprint article requires no article processing charges to be paid by the author. This democratises the publication process by removing a significant barrier to sharing work publicly.
For authors in lower-income countries, this free-to-publish model can overcome preexisting financial inequalities embedded in the open access publishing model. Preprint articles help promote global equity in academia by lifting the financial burden whilst also increasing the visibility and impact of under-represented voices in academia.
Additionally, authors publishing preprint articles are also not restricted by any embargo periods, as they would be using the green OA route.
Clearly defined quality and ethical standards
Despite not undergoing peer review, preprints are still subject to editorial checks before publishing. The screening process for preprints is typically completed within a few days, depending on the platform.
The Preprints.org screening process usually takes less than one business day in most cases. It involves basic checks for scientific content, author background, and compliance with ethical standards by active scholars. This screening is much faster than standard peer review, but preprints are still held to clearly defined quality and ethical standards.
Open access publication, authors retain copyright
All preprints are immediately posted as open access under a Creative Commons (CC) BY 4.0 license, ensuring that authors retain copyright and receive credit for their work while allowing global access and reusability.
Summarising the differences
To summarise the differences between gold OA, green OA, and preprints, the comparison below highlights four aspects that matter most when authors decide which research sharing route they may use.
| Gold open access | Green open access | Preprints | |
| Is publishing free? | Requires APC | Free | Free |
| Is reading free? | Immediately free | Yes, with embargo period | Immediately free |
| Is it peer reviewed? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Does the author retain copyright? | Yes | Usually no | Yes |
Publishing with Preprints.org
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