Why MDPI Is Not a Predatory Publisher

January 14, 2026 - Reading time: 8 minutes

From time to time, one hears the claim that MDPI (https://www.mdpi.com/) is a "predatory journal".  I would like to state clearly at the outset that, according to any reasonable metric, MDPI does not meet the definition of a predatory publisher. The main reason it is often perceived as such is that it operates under a different funding and publishing model than traditional subscription-based journals, which makes it stand out from long-established publishers.

Below, I address the most common characteristics of predatory journals and explain why they do not apply to MDPI.

What Is a Predatory Journal?

A predatory journal (also called a predatory publisher, deceptive journal, or pseudo-journal) is a fraudulent or exploitative academic publication that presents itself as a legitimate scholarly outlet while prioritizing profit over scholarly quality, transparency, and editorial integrity. Common warning signs include fake or nonexistent peer review, misleading fees, unprofessional presentation, and unrealistically fast acceptance.

Peer Review Quality

One hallmark of predatory journals