AS Cloud vs Enterprise
Choose between low-cost simplicity and long-term flexibility.
Why Two Versions Exist
Academic Stack was originally designed as a cloud-based SaaS platform to make journal publishing simple, fast, and accessible.
With AS Cloud, users can launch a journal quickly without dealing with infrastructure or technical setup.
However, as publishers grow, new requirements naturally emerge:
- Custom workflows
- External integrations
- Independent branding and permissions
- Greater control over system evolution
These needs are difficult to fully support in a shared SaaS environment.
That is why Academic Stack provides two models:
Cloud for efficiency, and Enterprise for flexibility.
All SaaS platforms prioritize standardization for speed and cost-efficiency. This makes them easy to start with, but also means features, workflows, and system evolution are shared across all users.
As needs grow more specific, this one-size-fits-all model can become limiting.
Academic Stack is designed with this in mind, and provides a solution to address it.
Our Product Philosophy
Academic Stack is designed around a simple idea: different stages require different systems.
🚀 Cloud: Start Efficiently
Low cost, fast setup, and standardized workflows for immediate publishing.
🏢 Enterprise: Grow Without Limits
Full control, customization, and scalability for long-term publishing operations.
Key Differences
| Feature | AS Cloud | AS Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Journal-level | Publisher-level |
| System Type | Shared SaaS | Dedicated deployment |
| Scope | Single journal | Multi-journal platform |
| Domain Structure | One hostname per journal | Multiple journals under one system |
| Customization | Standardized | Fully customizable |
| Permissions | Journal-only management | Full platform-level control |
| Cost & Scalability | Lower cost, limited extensibility | Higher cost, no structural limitations |
| System Management | Managed by Academic Stack | Managed by Academic Stack |
What This Means in Practice
AS Cloud
Each journal runs independently under its own hostname with a standardized SaaS structure.
This keeps the system simple, efficient, and low-cost, but limits deep customization over time.
👉 Best for quick launch and straightforward publishing.
AS Enterprise
AS Enterprise provides a dedicated multi-journal system with full control over users, workflows, and system behavior.
It removes the structural limitations of SaaS, allowing long-term customization and independent development.
Importantly, Enterprise can also be deployed quickly, while offering significantly greater flexibility in the long run.
AS Enterprise is fully deployed and managed by Academic Stack.
You do not need to handle servers or infrastructure. Academic Stack manages the system, while you retain full control over the platform, including users, journals, permissions, and workflows.
Final Thought
Academic Stack is designed to support different stages of publishing development.
If your priority is cost and speed, choose Cloud.
If your priority is flexibility and long-term control, choose Enterprise.If you are unsure, we recommend choosing based on your long-term goals rather than short-term convenience.