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Best Open Access Medical Journals 2026 | Q1 Ranked List

Best Open Access Medical Journals 2026:

Complete Guide with Impact Factor, APC Fees & Quartile Rankings

Last Updated: March 2026  |  By ResearchJournalRank Team  |  Data: JCR 2025, Scopus 2025

Introduction

Open access medical journals have transformed the way clinical research is published, accessed, and cited worldwide. In 2026, the open access model is no longer a niche alternative – it is the dominant trend in medical publishing. Major funders like the NIH, Wellcome Trust, and European Research Council now mandate open access publication, and an increasing number of universities require OA for their researchers.

But with hundreds of open access medical journals available, how do you choose the right one? The challenge is finding a journal that offers the right combination of prestige (high Impact Factor and Q1 ranking), affordability (reasonable or no APC fees), and scope (matching your specific medical specialty).

This comprehensive guide presents the 15 best open access medical journals for 2026, ranked by Impact Factor and covering everything from free-to-publish options to high-impact Q1 venues. We compare APC costs, CiteScore, SJR scores, and indexing status to help medical researchers, clinicians, PhD students, and academic physicians make the best publishing decision.

All journals listed here can be explored in detail on ResearchJournalRank.com, where you can filter 31,000+ journals by open access status, quartile, subject area, and SJR score.

What is Open Access Publishing in Medicine?

Open access (OA) means that published research articles are freely available to anyone to read, download, share, and reuse without a subscription or paywall. In medical publishing, this is especially important because it ensures that doctors, researchers, patients, and policymakers in all countries can access the latest clinical evidence regardless of their institution’s library budget.

Types of Open Access in Medical Publishing:

Gold Open Access: The article is freely available immediately upon publication on the journal’s website. The author (or their funder/institution) typically pays an Article Processing Charge (APC). Examples: PLOS Medicine, BMC Medicine, JAMA Network Open.

Diamond/Platinum Open Access: The article is freely available and the author pays no APC. The journal is funded by institutions, societies, or grants. Example: Cureus (free to publish).

Green Open Access: The author deposits a pre-print or accepted manuscript version in a repository (like PubMed Central or an institutional repository), often after an embargo period of 6–12 months. No APC is required.

Hybrid Open Access: A subscription-based journal offers an OA option for individual articles. Authors pay an APC (often $3,000–$5,000) to make their specific article freely available. Examples: NEJM, The Lancet, JAMA offer hybrid OA options.

Why Open Access Matters for Medical Research:

1. Wider Readership: OA articles receive 18–36% more citations on average compared to paywalled articles in the same journal, according to multiple studies.

2. Funder Mandates: NIH, Wellcome Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Research Councils, and EU Horizon Europe all require OA publication. Non-compliance can jeopardize future funding.

3. Global Health Equity: Clinicians in low- and middle-income countries often lack access to subscription journals. OA ensures that a doctor in rural India or sub-Saharan Africa can read the same research as a physician at a US academic medical center.

4. Faster Dissemination: OA journals typically publish articles faster, with continuous online publication rather than waiting for print issues.

5. Policy Impact: Policymakers and public health officials who shape healthcare guidelines frequently rely on OA literature because they may not have institutional journal access.

15 Best Open Access Medical Journals 2026 – Complete Ranking

#	Journal Name	Publisher	IF (JCR)	CiteScore	SJR	Q	APC Fee	ISSN	Key Scope
1	PLOS Medicine	PLOS	9.9	16.8	4.132	Q1	$6,460 (waivers available)	1549-1676	General medicine, global health, epidemiology, public health policy
2	BMC Medicine	Springer Nature (BioMed Central)	9.3	14.2	3.785	Q1	$3,890	1741-7015	All medical specialties, clinical research, public health
3	eLife	eLife Sciences Publications	7.7	12.4	3.612	Q1	$2,500	2050-084X	Biomedical sciences, clinical research, medicine, life sciences
4	Nature Communications (Medical)	Springer Nature	14.7	20.9	5.231	Q1	$6,790	2041-1723	Multidisciplinary including clinical medicine, oncology, neuroscience
5	BMJ Open	BMJ Publishing Group	2.3	3.9	1.016	Q1	£2,163 (~$2,750)	2044-6055	All medical disciplines, protocols, negative results, meta-analyses
6	JAMA Network Open	American Medical Association	10.5	12.8	3.924	Q1	$3,500	2574-3805	Clinical research, health policy, global health, all specialties
7	The Lancet Digital Health	Elsevier	23.8	18.7	5.876	Q1	$5,900	2589-7500	Digital health, AI in medicine, health informatics, telemedicine
8	International Journal of Surgery	Wolters Kluwer	15.3	12.1	2.945	Q1	$3,900	1743-9191	All surgical specialties, surgical oncology, techniques, outcomes
9	Frontiers in Medicine	Frontiers Media	3.1	4.8	0.876	Q1	$2,950	2296-858X	All medical specialties, translational medicine, clinical trials
10	PLOS ONE (Medical Section)	PLOS	2.9	5.2	0.827	Q1	$2,290 (waivers available)	1932-6203	All scientific disciplines including medicine, broad acceptance criteria
11	Scientific Reports (Medical)	Springer Nature	3.8	6.4	0.924	Q1	$2,490	2045-2322	Multidisciplinary, clinical medicine, biomedical research
12	Cureus	Springer Nature	1.2	2.1	0.472	Q2	Free ($0)	2168-8184	All medical specialties, case reports, reviews. No publication fee
13	Medicine	Wolters Kluwer	1.6	2.8	0.545	Q2	$1,900	0025-7974	General medicine, clinical research, systematic reviews
14	BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care	BMJ Publishing Group	3.3	5.5	1.123	Q1	£2,163 (~$2,750)	2052-4897	Diabetes research, endocrinology, clinical diabetes care
15	JMIR (Journal of Medical Internet Research)	JMIR Publications	6.0	11.7	1.876	Q1	$2,995	1438-8871	Digital health, eHealth, mHealth, telemedicine, health informatics

Source: JCR 2025 (Clarivate), SCImago 2025, Scopus CiteScore 2024, journal websites. Verified March 2026.

Detailed Review of Top Open Access Medical Journals

1. PLOS Medicine – The Gold Standard of OA Medicine

IF: 9.9  |  Q1 |  APC: $6,460  |  Waivers available for developing countries

PLOS Medicine is the most prestigious fully open access general medical journal in the world. Launched in 2004, it pioneered the OA movement in medicine and remains the benchmark for high-quality, freely accessible clinical research. The journal prioritizes research on conditions causing the greatest global disease burden, with a strong emphasis on global health, health equity, and public health policy. Its acceptance rate is approximately 8%, making it highly selective. PLOS offers full fee waivers for researchers from low-income countries and partial waivers based on financial need – no one is turned away for inability to pay.

2. BMC Medicine – Best All-Rounder OA Medical Journal

IF: 9.3  |  Q1 |  APC: $3,890  |  Part of the BioMed Central portfolio

BMC Medicine is an open access journal that publishes outstanding research across all areas of clinical practice, translational medicine, and public health. As the flagship medical title of BioMed Central (now part of Springer Nature), it has an excellent reputation for fast peer review, transparent editorial processes, and willingness to consider a broad range of study types including negative results and replications. BMC Medicine is indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (SCIE), and DOAJ.

3. eLife – Revolutionary Open Review Model

IF: 7.7  |  Q1 |  APC: $2,500  |  Backed by Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Wellcome, Max Planck

eLife has become one of the most talked-about OA journals in biomedical research, largely due to its innovative peer review model. Unlike traditional journals, eLife publishes all papers that are sent for peer review, along with the complete review reports. This radical transparency has attracted top researchers who value fairness in the review process. The journal covers biomedical and life sciences broadly, including clinical medicine, neuroscience, immunology, and genetics. Its APC of $2,500 is relatively affordable for a Q1 journal.

4. Nature Communications (Medical Content)

IF: 14.7  |  Q1 |  APC: $6,790  |  Highest IF on this list

Nature Communications is one of the largest and most-cited open access journals in the world. While it covers all natural sciences, its medical and biomedical content is extensive, covering oncology, neuroscience, immunology, cardiology, and clinical therapeutics. The Nature brand brings exceptional global visibility and prestige. Its APC is the highest on this list at $6,790, but many institutions have transformative agreements with Springer Nature that cover or reduce author costs.

5. BMJ Open – Highest Volume OA Medical Journal

IF: 2.3  |  Q1 |  APC: ~$2,750  |  Publishes ~5,000 articles/year

BMJ Open is the largest open access medical journal by volume, publishing approximately 5,000 articles per year across all medical disciplines. What makes BMJ Open unique is its commitment to publishing all methodologically sound research, including study protocols, pilot studies, negative results, and large observational studies that might not be accepted by more selective journals. Its fully open peer review model (where reviewer reports are published alongside articles) promotes transparency. BMJ Open is an excellent option for researchers seeking a reputable, Scopus-indexed Q1 venue with reasonable APC costs.

6. JAMA Network Open – The AMA’s Premier OA Journal

IF: 10.5  |  Q1 |  APC: $3,500  |  Part of the JAMA family

Launched in 2018 by the American Medical Association, JAMA Network Open has rapidly become one of the most impactful OA medical journals. It publishes clinical research, systematic reviews, and health policy studies across all medical specialties. Being part of the JAMA family brings tremendous credibility and readership. The journal’s acceptance rate is approximately 12–15%, and its IF of 10.5 places it among the highest-impact OA medical journals globally.

7. The Lancet Digital Health – Best for Health Tech Research

IF: 23.8  |  Q1 |  APC: $5,900  |  Highest IF among medical OA journals

The Lancet Digital Health is the highest-impact fully open access medical journal on this list with a remarkable IF of 23.8. It focuses exclusively on digital health, AI in clinical decision-making, telemedicine, wearable health technology, and health informatics. As AI-driven medicine grows exponentially in 2026, this journal has become the premier venue for research at the intersection of technology and healthcare. Being part of The Lancet family ensures exceptional editorial quality and global readership.

8. International Journal of Surgery

IF: 15.3  |  Q1 |  APC: $3,900  |  Converted to fully OA in 2022

The International Journal of Surgery transitioned to a fully open access model in 2022 and has seen dramatic growth in both submissions and impact since then. Its IF of 15.3 makes it the highest-impact dedicated surgical journal on this list. The journal covers all surgical specialties and welcomes clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and surgical technique innovations.

9–11. Frontiers in Medicine, PLOS ONE & Scientific Reports

Frontiers in Medicine (IF: 3.1): A growing OA journal covering all medical specialties with a collaborative peer review model.

PLOS ONE Medical Section (IF: 2.9): The world’s largest multidisciplinary OA journal. Accepts all methodologically sound research regardless of perceived novelty. Excellent for researchers who prioritize speed and open access. Waivers available.

Scientific Reports Medical (IF: 3.8): Springer Nature’s large-scale OA journal covering natural sciences including clinical and biomedical research. Strong Scopus and WoS indexing.

12. Cureus – The Best FREE Medical Journal (No APC)

IF: 1.2  |  Q2 |  APC: FREE ($0)  |  No publication fee at all

Cureus stands alone on this list as the only journal that charges absolutely no Article Processing Charge. Acquired by Springer Nature in 2023, Cureus publishes peer-reviewed medical articles, case reports, and reviews across all specialties with no cost to authors. While its Impact Factor is modest at 1.2, its Q2 ranking and Scopus indexing make it a legitimate and increasingly respected publication venue. For medical residents, early-career doctors, and researchers from developing countries who cannot afford APCs, Cureus is an outstanding option.

13–15. Medicine, BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, and JMIR

Medicine by Wolters Kluwer (IF: 1.6): A mega-journal covering all medical disciplines with fast peer review and moderate APC of $1,900.

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care (IF: 3.3): A specialist OA journal from BMJ focused on diabetes and endocrinology research. Q1 in its sub-field.

JMIR – Journal of Medical Internet Research (IF: 6.0): The leading OA journal for digital health, medical informatics, eHealth, and mHealth research. Q1 in Medical Informatics. APC: $2,995.

APC Fee Comparison: From Free to Premium

One of the biggest concerns for medical researchers is the Article Processing Charge (APC). Here is a quick comparison from cheapest to most expensive:

🟢 FREE: Cureus ($0) – No APC at all. Best for budget-conscious researchers.

🟢 Budget-Friendly ($1,500–$2,500): Medicine ($1,900), PLOS ONE ($2,290 with waivers), eLife ($2,500), Scientific Reports ($2,490).

🟡 Mid-Range ($2,500–$4,000): BMJ Open (~$2,750), Frontiers in Medicine ($2,950), JMIR ($2,995), JAMA Network Open ($3,500), BMC Medicine ($3,890), Int. Journal of Surgery ($3,900).

🔴 Premium ($5,000+): Lancet Digital Health ($5,900), PLOS Medicine ($6,460 with waivers), Nature Communications ($6,790).

Important: Many journals offer fee waivers or discounts for researchers from low- and middle-income countries. PLOS, BMC, and Frontiers all have formal waiver programs. Additionally, many universities have Read & Publish agreements with major publishers (Springer Nature, Elsevier, Wiley) that cover APCs automatically.

How to Choose the Right Open Access Medical Journal

Step 1 – Match Your Research to the Journal’s Scope: A cardiology study should target a general medical OA journal (PLOS Medicine, BMC Medicine) or a specialty OA journal. Scope mismatch leads to immediate desk rejection.

Step 2 – Set Your Budget: If you have no funding for APCs, consider Cureus (free), or apply for waivers at PLOS, BMC, or Frontiers. If your funder covers APCs, you can target higher-impact journals.

Step 3 – Check Funder Requirements: NIH, Wellcome Trust, and EU Horizon Europe have specific OA mandates. Ensure your chosen journal is compliant with your funder’s OA policy (e.g., CC-BY license requirement).

Step 4 – Verify Indexing: Confirm the journal is indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and/or Web of Science. Use ResearchJournalRank.com to verify indexing and check quartile rankings.

Step 5 – Consider Review Timeline: If you need fast publication, BMJ Open, PLOS ONE, and Cureus typically offer faster turnaround than PLOS Medicine or JAMA Network Open.

Step 6 – Check the Journal’s License: Most OA journals use CC-BY (Creative Commons Attribution), which is the most permissive license. Some funders require CC-BY specifically. Verify the license before submitting.

Avoiding Predatory Open Access Medical Journals

The growth of OA publishing has unfortunately led to a proliferation of predatory medical journals that exploit the author-pays model. Here are warning signs:

⚠ Unsolicited email invitations: Legitimate journals do not spam researchers with “Dear Author” submission requests.

⚠ Unrealistically fast peer review: Any journal promising acceptance within days is almost certainly predatory.

⚠ Not indexed in PubMed/Scopus/WoS: Always verify indexing on official databases. Use ResearchJournalRank.com to check.

⚠ No identifiable editorial board: Board members should have real academic affiliations and Google Scholar profiles.

⚠ Poor website quality: Broken links, grammar errors, and generic templates are major red flags.

⚠ Not listed in DOAJ: The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) is a whitelist of vetted OA journals. Check doaj.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the best free (no APC) open access medical journal?

Cureus is currently the best free-to-publish open access medical journal. It charges no APC at all, is indexed in Scopus and PubMed, and accepts articles across all medical specialties. It is now owned by Springer Nature, which adds credibility.

Q2: Which open access medical journal has the highest Impact Factor?

The Lancet Digital Health has the highest Impact Factor (23.8) among fully open access medical journals in 2026. For general medicine, JAMA Network Open (IF: 10.5) and PLOS Medicine (IF: 9.9) are the highest-impact options.

Q3: Are open access medical journals peer-reviewed?

Yes. All reputable open access medical journals listed in this guide undergo rigorous peer review. In fact, journals like PLOS Medicine and JAMA Network Open have acceptance rates of 8–15%, making them more selective than many subscription-based journals.

Q4: Can I get an APC waiver for open access medical journals?

Yes. PLOS, BMC (Springer Nature), Frontiers, Hindawi, and many other publishers offer full or partial APC waivers for authors from low-income countries or those without funding. You typically apply for the waiver during the submission process, and it does not affect the peer review decision.

Q5: Is publishing in open access journals good for my medical career?

Absolutely. Open access publications receive more citations, wider readership, and greater public visibility. Top OA medical journals like PLOS Medicine, JAMA Network Open, and The Lancet Digital Health are highly prestigious. Most promotion and tenure committees evaluate research quality, not whether a journal is OA or subscription-based.

Q6: Do open access medical articles appear in PubMed?

Yes, if the journal is indexed in MEDLINE or PubMed Central (PMC). All 15 journals in this guide are indexed in PubMed. OA articles in PMC are freely available through PubMed, significantly increasing their discoverability.

Q7: What is the difference between Gold OA and Green OA in medicine?

Gold OA means the article is freely available on the journal’s website immediately upon publication (author typically pays APC). Green OA means the author deposits a manuscript version in a repository (like PubMed Central) after an embargo period, usually 6–12 months. Gold OA provides immediate access; Green OA is free but delayed.

Q8: Are PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports considered “mega-journals”?

Yes. PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports are mega-journals that publish across all scientific disciplines with a focus on methodological soundness rather than novelty or perceived impact. They publish tens of thousands of articles per year. While their Impact Factors are lower than selective journals, they are legitimate, Scopus-indexed, Q1 venues that provide fast, accessible publication.

Conclusion

The landscape of open access medical publishing in 2026 offers options for every researcher, regardless of budget, career stage, or medical specialty. From the free-to-publish Cureus to the high-impact Lancet Digital Health (IF: 23.8), there is an open access journal to match every need.

For budget-conscious researchers, Cureus ($0 APC), PLOS ONE ($2,290 with waivers), and eLife ($2,500) offer affordable, indexed publication. For maximum prestige and impact, PLOS Medicine, JAMA Network Open, and The Lancet Digital Health are world-class venues. And for researchers seeking a balance of impact, speed, and cost, BMC Medicine, BMJ Open, and JMIR represent excellent middle-ground choices.

Remember to always verify journal indexing on ResearchJournalRank.com, check for predatory journals using DOAJ and Cabells, and confirm your funder’s OA compliance requirements before submitting.

Explore 31,000+ journals with open access filters, SJR scores, quartile rankings, and H-Index data at ResearchJournalRank.com – your trusted free resource for academic journal discovery.