Direct comparison
Preprints.org vs. bioRxiv Compared
Preprints.org (MDPI, multidisciplinary) vs bioRxiv (openRxiv, life sciences only): operator model, discipline scope, screening, and journal integration.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Preprints.org | bioRxiv |
|---|---|---|
| Discipline scope | Multidisciplinary — all research fields, organized by MDPI subject 'Topics' | Life sciences / biology only (medRxiv is the sister server for health & medical sciences) |
| Operated by | MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), a for-profit open-access publisher | openRxiv, an independent non-profit (took over from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory March 11, 2025) |
| Launched | 2016 | 2013 |
| Screening before posting | In-house staff screen for basic scientific content, author background, and ethics compliance, with advisory-board support; commonly reported same-day turnaround | Subject-area scientist moderators screen for non-scientific content, plagiarism, and biosecurity / dual-use risk |
| Is it peer review? | No — editorial screening only | No — moderation only |
| Journal-transfer integration | Workflow oriented toward submission to MDPI's own journal portfolio (not required) | Direct-transfer submission links to select partner journals outside its own operator |
| Publisher neutrality | Run by a publisher that also operates its own journals — a relevant consideration alongside its screening process | Run by an independent non-profit with no journal portfolio of its own |
| Cost to authors | Free to post | Free to post |
| Typical audience | Broad, cross-field readership | Life-sciences researchers specifically |
Common questions
FAQ
Is Preprints.org the same as MDPI journals?+
No, but they share an operator. Preprints.org is a preprint server run by MDPI, separate from MDPI's peer-reviewed journals, though MDPI's workflow commonly points Preprints.org authors toward submitting the same manuscript to one of its journals. Posting on Preprints.org does not require submitting to an MDPI journal.
Is a Preprints.org or bioRxiv posting peer reviewed?+
No. Both platforms screen submissions before posting — checking for basic scientific content, ethics compliance, plagiarism, and (for bioRxiv) biosecurity risk — but neither screening process is peer review. Treat any claim in either as unreviewed until a peer-reviewed version exists.
Can I post the same manuscript to both?+
Generally not as a single preprint — each is designed as the record for a specific version, and cross-posting the identical manuscript to two preprint servers is discouraged by most platforms' policies. Pick the server matching your field: bioRxiv/medRxiv for life and health sciences, Preprints.org for other fields or MDPI-journal-linked submissions.
Does posting on bioRxiv or Preprints.org count as prior publication?+
Most journals, including the large majority following ICMJE-aligned policies, do not treat a preprint as prior publication that would disqualify later peer-reviewed submission — but always confirm the specific target journal's preprint policy before submitting.
