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OJS for EveryoneThe Practical GuidebookRSYN Research LLP

Getting Started with OJS

New to Open Journal Systems? These answers cover the essentials — from what OJS is and what it costs, to finding hosting and getting your first journal off the ground.

How can I use OJS for my journal?​

OJS is free, open-source software released under the GNU General Public Licence v3. There are no licensing fees — you can download it, install it on your own server, and run as many journals as you like at no charge.

To get started, download the latest release from the PKP website. You will need a web server with PHP and a supported database (MySQL/MariaDB or PostgreSQL) to run the software. If you do not have server infrastructure in place, managed hosting is also an option — see the question on hosting below.

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OJS 3.5 is the current stable release. Always check the PKP download page for the latest version and its system requirements before installing.

What technical infrastructure and expertise do I need?​

At a minimum, OJS requires:

  • A web server running Apache or Nginx
  • PHP 8.1 or higher (check the release notes for the exact minimum for your OJS version)
  • MySQL/MariaDB or PostgreSQL
  • Adequate storage for uploaded article files

Beyond the software stack, you need someone who is comfortable administering a Linux (or Windows) server — someone who can apply security patches, configure backups, manage file permissions, and troubleshoot PHP errors. Routine OJS upgrades also require server access and should be performed by a competent system administrator. If your institution cannot provide this expertise, a managed hosting provider is worth considering.

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Running an outdated, unpatched OJS installation is a security risk. Plan for regular upgrades and have a clear owner for server maintenance tasks.

Where can I find free or affordable hosting?​

Several options exist depending on your budget and affiliation:

  • PKP Publishing Services — Managed hosting run by PKP itself, with plans for small and large journals. Includes upgrades, backups, and support.
  • University libraries and research computing centres — Many academic libraries host OJS for affiliated journals at no cost. Check with your institution's library or IT department.
  • Commercial hosting providers — A number of providers offer OJS-configured hosting plans. Ask for recommendations on the PKP Community Forum to find providers that other journal managers have vetted.
tip

Before choosing a hosting provider, ask about their upgrade policy, backup frequency, and whether they provide SSL certificates. These details matter for long-term journal sustainability.

I want to start a new journal using OJS. Where do I start?​

Launching a journal involves much more than installing software. Before you configure OJS, work through the foundational decisions:

  1. Funding model — How will you cover operating costs? (institutional subsidy, APCs, grants, volunteerism)
  2. Copyright and licensing — Will articles be open access? Which Creative Commons licence will you use?
  3. Editorial governance — Who is the editor-in-chief? What is the peer-review model?
  4. Scope and indexing — What is the journal's scope, and which indexes do you intend to apply for?

PKP's Starting a Journal guide provides a detailed checklist covering these decisions. PKP School also offers free self-paced courses — including Becoming an Editor and Setting Up a Journal in OJS — that walk you through every stage.

Can a single OJS installation host multiple journals?​

Yes. A single OJS installation can host any number of journals, managed through the Site Administration panel. This is a common setup for universities or publishers running a portfolio of titles.

However, there are trade-offs to be aware of:

  • Shared user pool — All journals on the installation share a single user database. A user registered on one journal can be enrolled on others, which is convenient for editors but may be a privacy concern in some contexts.
  • Shared codebase and upgrades — Upgrading the installation upgrades all journals simultaneously. This simplifies maintenance but means no journal can run a different OJS version.

If you need individual journals to operate with full autonomy — their own upgrade schedules, isolated user bases, or different plugin configurations — consider separate installations.

Where can I find help and support?​

OJS has a large, active community. Your best sources of help are:

ResourceBest for
PKP Docs HubStep-by-step guides for all roles and tasks
PKP Community ForumQuestions, troubleshooting, advice from peers
PKP SchoolFree courses for editors, managers, and authors
In-app HelpClick the ? icon inside OJS for context-sensitive help

When posting on the Community Forum, always mention your OJS version number and a clear description of the problem. This helps others respond more quickly and accurately.

How can I try OJS before installing it?​

PKP maintains a public demo site where you can explore OJS as different user roles (site administrator, journal manager, editor, reviewer, and author) without setting anything up yourself. Visit the PKP website and look for the "Demo" link to access the current demo environment.

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The demo is periodically reset, so any changes you make will not persist. It is ideal for evaluating the interface and workflow before committing to an installation.

Further Reading​