Last updated: May 2026 · 5 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Key points
- Gold OA: The final published article (Version of Record) is immediately freely available on the journal website.
- Green OA: The author self-archives a version in a repository. The journal Version of Record may remain paywalled.
- Gold OA costs money (APC) but guarantees immediate, permanent access to the final version.
- Green OA is free for the author but often delayed by an embargo period.
- Most funder mandates (Plan S, NIH, UKRI) now require immediate open access, which typically means gold OA.
What is gold open access?
In gold open access, the journal publishes the final peer-reviewed article (the Version of Record) openly on its own website, immediately upon publication. This is funded by an article processing charge (APC) paid by the author, their institution, or a funder.
What is green open access?
In green open access, the author deposits a version of their manuscript into an open repository such as PubMed Central, arXiv, SSRN, or an institutional repository. The journal Version of Record may remain behind a paywall, and the deposit may only be permitted after an embargo period.
| Criterion | Gold Open Access | Green Open Access |
|---|---|---|
| Version available | Final Version of Record | Accepted manuscript or preprint |
| When available | Immediately on publication | Often after 6–12 month embargo |
| Cost to author | APC (varies; some journals charge nothing) | Free |
| Copyright | Author retains copyright; CC BY 4.0 | Varies — journal may retain copyright |
| Funder mandate compliance | Yes, for most mandates requiring immediate OA | Only if embargo-free deposit is permitted |
Summary: which route is right for you?
If you have funder support to cover an APC, gold open access gives you immediate, permanent, high-quality access to your final article with maximum discoverability. If you are unfunded, green open access via a preprint server is a free and effective way to make your work available while it goes through journal peer review.
Frequently asked questions
Related reading and next steps
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org