Elsevier vs Taylor and Francis: Which Publisher Is Better for Your Research

I have lost count of how many PhD students have asked me this question: "Katherine, should I publish with Elsevier or Taylor and Francis?"

My answer always starts with a question of my own: What field are you in, and how much time do you actually have?

Both publishers are giants. Elsevier owns The Lancet, Cell, and thousands of other highly respected science and medical journals. Taylor and Francis publishes across humanities, social sciences, education, and health – with over 2,500 journals and a platform called TandFOnline that is one of the largest academic databases in the world.

But the choice matters. I have seen clients waste months waiting for a decision they could have avoided. I have also seen clients get accepted into a top-tier journal and build their entire career on that single publication. The difference usually comes down to one thing: picking the right publisher for your specific research.

So here is the breakdown I give them – unbiased, practical, and based on real experience working with both publishers.

Written by Katherine Alexander, PhD · Updated August 2026 · Reviewed by Premier Dissertations Editorial Team

1. Overview of Elsevier and Taylor and Francis

Elsevier, headquartered in the Netherlands, is one of the world's largest academic publishing houses, operating approximately 2,800 journals through platforms such as ScienceDirect. Its journals are known for high-impact research, primarily in science, technology, and medicine (STM).

Taylor and Francis, based in the United Kingdom, focuses on a more diverse portfolio of subjects, ranging from humanities and social sciences to health and engineering. With approximately 2,500 journals and 150,000+ book titles, Taylor and Francis has grown into a direct competitor to Elsevier in global academic publishing. Its content is hosted on Taylor & Francis Online (also known as TandFOnline), one of the largest academic platforms for humanities and social sciences research.

🔗 Learn more: Is TandFOnline reliable? A complete guide to Taylor & Francis Online →

Both publishers dominate the industry, but their editorial philosophies and standards differ in subtle yet important ways – especially when you start comparing disciplines, review processes, and open access options.

2. Peer Review and Editorial Standards

A key difference between Elsevier and Taylor and Francis lies in how each manages its peer review process and editorial oversight.

Elsevier: Known for rigorous double-blind or single-blind peer review models, supported by advanced submission platforms such as Editorial Manager and EVISE. Elsevier integrates plagiarism detection tools and ethical compliance checks before publication, helping maintain consistent quality in many of its journals.

Taylor and Francis: Offers similar review mechanisms but has a broader network of editorial boards across disciplines. Quality can vary across different Taylor and Francis journals, particularly in lower-tier titles, so it is worth checking each journal individually before submitting.

3. Indexing, Discoverability, and Reach

Both publishers provide impressive global visibility, but their infrastructure and indexing strengths differ by subject area.

Elsevier: Through ScienceDirect and related platforms, Elsevier's journals are widely indexed in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. This strong infrastructure gives researchers robust citation potential and discoverability, especially in STM fields.

Taylor and Francis: Hosted on TandFOnline (Taylor & Francis Online), its journals also appear in major databases but tend to have a stronger indexing presence in the humanities and social sciences, with coverage in ERIC, ProQuest, and other discipline-focused indexes.

If your research is data-driven, quantitative, or STEM-based, Elsevier may offer more impact and discoverability. For qualitative, theoretical, or interdisciplinary work, Taylor and Francis often provides better subject alignment and readership.

4. Open Access and Publishing Fees

The cost of publishing – especially for open access – is a major factor when deciding between Elsevier and Taylor and Francis.

Elsevier: Operates numerous hybrid open access journals, where authors can pay Article Processing Charges (APCs) for immediate open access while other content remains behind paywalls. APCs are often at the higher end of the market, particularly in high-impact STM titles.

Taylor and Francis: Offers more flexible open access options, including Open Select (hybrid OA) and fully OA journals. Fees in some fields are comparatively lower or partially covered by institutional agreements, which can help early-career and self-funded researchers.

Transparency in pricing is improving for both, but Elsevier's model remains more commercially driven. Taylor and Francis, though smaller, is often viewed as more adaptable for independent researchers and early-career academics.

5. Subject Coverage and Diversity

The diversity of subject coverage is one of the most striking contrasts between the two publishers:

While Elsevier leads in research-driven disciplines and impact factor metrics, Taylor and Francis remains a favourite for education, linguistics, psychology, and social research fields, where book publishing and long-form scholarship are more common.

6. Reputation, Ethics, and Controversies

Academic publishing has often been criticised for high subscription fees and limited access, and both publishers have faced scrutiny in different ways.

Elsevier has faced backlash from universities and researchers over pricing and licensing disputes, such as the well-known University of California's 2019 boycott. Critics argue that high subscription fees limit access to publicly funded research.

Taylor and Francis is generally seen as more transparent in licensing but has occasionally faced scrutiny for inconsistent peer review practices and the inclusion of lower-tier journals with variable standards.

Despite these issues, both maintain membership with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines, plagiarism detection, and responsible research dissemination.

7. Which Publisher Should You Choose?

Your choice between Elsevier and Taylor and Francis should depend on your discipline, funding, and publication goals, rather than reputation alone.

• Choose Elsevier if you:
  • Need high-impact visibility in scientific or medical research.
  • Want strong indexing in Scopus, PubMed, or Web of Science.
  • Are targeting journals with stricter acceptance rates and higher citation potential.
• Choose Taylor and Francis if you:
  • Work in the humanities, social sciences, education, or interdisciplinary fields.
  • Want more flexible and sometimes more affordable open access options.
  • Prefer journals that encourage broader cross-disciplinary collaboration.

8. Final Comparison Summary

Use this side-by-side view to align your research goals with the right publisher:

Conclusion: In the comparison of Elsevier vs Taylor and Francis, both publishers deliver global credibility, robust editorial processes, and established reputations. Elsevier dominates the science and technology landscape, while Taylor and Francis offers broader diversity across academic disciplines.

Ultimately, the best publisher for your research depends on your field, funding availability, and access goals. If your priority is impact and reach, Elsevier may be ideal. If you seek interdisciplinary collaboration and affordability, Taylor and Francis could be a better match.