Elsevier vs MDPI: Which Should You Choose in 2026–2027?

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Quick Answer: Elsevier vs MDPI (2026)

Choose Elsevier → best if your university requires high‑impact, Scopus‑indexed journals and you can allow several months for peer review.

Choose MDPI → suitable if you need faster open‑access publication, shorter review time, and your institution accepts MDPI journals.

⚠️ Always confirm with your supervisor or university guidelines before submitting to any journal, especially when publication requirements are strict.

What to Look for When Choosing a Publisher

• Academic Credibility: Some institutions and committee members favour certain publishers for their prestige and reliability.
• Visibility and Reach: Effective publishers ensure your work is discoverable, indexed, and widely cited.
• Speed versus Quality: Fast publication helps with deadlines; rigorous multi‑round peer review supports credibility.
• Cost and Access Model: Fees vary, and access may be open‑access or subscription‑based.

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Elsevier – Reputation, Prestige and Rigorous Review

Elsevier manages thousands of high‑impact journals, many indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). It maintains a strong reputation for quality, credibility, and structured peer‑review processes.

• Rigorous, multi‑stage peer review
• Universally recognised among academic institutions
• Extensive indexing in Scopus, WoS, and PubMed
• Strong citation visibility and editorial credibility

• Open‑access charges (APCs) can exceed £2,000 to £4,000
• Subscription model limits immediate global access
• Review and publication may take 4 to 6+ months

Need help targeting a Scopus‑indexed journal? Read our detailed How to Publish in Scopus Journals Guide.

Publishing in a Scopus‑indexed journal?
Read our step‑by‑step guide: How to Publish in Scopus Journals Guide – written for UK dissertation and PhD students.

MDPI – Fast Publishing, Open Access and Large Portfolio

MDPI operates over 400 open‑access journals across diverse disciplines, including Applied Sciences, Sensors, and Sustainability. It is known for fast publication cycles and transparent submission workflows.

• Publication typically within 4 to 8 weeks
• Fully open access and globally available immediately
• Many journals indexed in Scopus, WoS, and DOAJ
• Clear, transparent submission process

• Peer‑review depth can vary between titles
• Some institutions remain cautious of MDPI’s consistency
• Mandatory APCs ranging from £800 to £2,500

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Publishing Criteria: Elsevier vs MDPI

Is MDPI Reliable or Predatory? (Honest 2026 Assessment, With Sources)

This is one of the most searched questions in academic publishing, and it deserves a specific, evidence‑based answer rather than vague reassurance.

The short answer: MDPI is not currently classified as predatory, but its history is genuinely contested. Here is the actual record.

The documented history

• 2014: MDPI was added to Jeffrey Beall's list of potentially predatory open‑access publishers, over concerns about lightly‑reviewed "warehouse journals" and unsolicited submission emails.
• 2018: Ten senior editors of MDPI's journal Nutrients, including the editor‑in‑chief, resigned, alleging pressure to lower editorial standards and accept lower‑quality manuscripts.
• 2020: The Chinese Academy of Sciences flagged a number of MDPI journals on a list of titles with potential quality or risk concerns.
• 2021: An academic study concluded that a sample of MDPI journals showed characteristics associated with predatory publishing, based on citation pattern analysis. MDPI formally disputed the findings, and the study was later retracted and republished with softened conclusions after an investigation.
• Ongoing: The Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) investigated MDPI and allowed it to retain its membership, effectively clearing it of predatory classification at the organizational level.
• National‑level scrutiny: Some countries' research assessment systems, including Finland's JUFO classification, have downgraded certain MDPI journals in recent years. If you are affiliated with an institution in one of these countries, check your specific target journal's current national classification before submitting.

What this means practically

MDPI is not blacklisted or formally classified as predatory by major indexing bodies today, but its record includes real, documented controversy, not rumor. The right approach is journal‑level, not publisher‑level: check the specific journal's Scopus/Web of Science indexing, its current impact factor or quartile via Scimago, its editorial board, and your own institution's or supervisor's policy on MDPI specifically.

Elsevier’s Competitors in Academic Publishing

Elsevier competes with major publishers such as Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, and SAGE. Each offers distinct editorial policies, acceptance rates, and open‑access options.

Elsevier vs Springer | Elsevier vs Taylor & Francis

Recent MDPI Updates (2014 – 2026)

2014: MDPI added to Beall's list of potentially predatory publishers.

2018: Ten senior editors of Nutrients resigned, citing pressure over editorial standards.

2020: Chinese Academy of Sciences flagged several MDPI journals.

2021: An academic study concluding MDPI journals showed predatory characteristics was retracted and republished with softened conclusions after MDPI disputed it.

Ongoing: OASPA has allowed MDPI to retain membership. Finland's JUFO classification has downgraded certain MDPI journals. The publisher continues to face institutional scrutiny in some countries.

Final Verdict

Choose Elsevier if:

• You value prestige, institutional trust, and deep peer review
• Your university or funders prefer high‑impact journals
• You are prepared for a longer publication timeline

Choose MDPI if:

• You need rapid, open‑access publication
• You want global visibility without paywalls
• You prefer faster review cycles and flexible feedback

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Frequently Asked Questions: Elsevier vs MDPI

Is MDPI as credible as Elsevier?

Not universally. Elsevier has stronger overall institutional prestige and dominates Scopus indexing. However, individual MDPI journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science are credible and accepted by many universities. Always verify the journal indexing status and check your institution policy before submitting.

How long does publication take with MDPI vs Elsevier?

MDPI often completes peer review and publication within a few weeks, while Elsevier journals may take several months from submission to decision. This makes MDPI a faster option for students working under academic deadlines.

Which is cheaper – Elsevier or MDPI?

MDPI publication fees are usually lower than Elsevier open‑access charges. Costs vary by journal, so always check the official journal website before submitting.

Can I publish my dissertation in an MDPI journal?

Yes, if the journal is indexed in Scopus or Web of Science and your university accepts it. Always confirm with your supervisor and review the journal scope, editorial board, and recent publications before submission.

Was MDPI listed as a predatory publisher?

MDPI was added to Jeffrey Beall's list of potentially predatory publishers in 2014. OASPA later investigated and allowed MDPI to retain membership. Some MDPI journals were flagged by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2020), and Finland's JUFO system has downgraded certain titles. Today, MDPI is not formally classified as predatory, but its history is genuinely contested – evaluate each journal individually.