Abstract: In recent years, research on constructing composite coatings on the surface of various substrates by electroless plating technology has been increasing day by day. Nickel-based composite coatings, in particular, have become a research hotspot in the field of material surface engineering due to their significant improvements in mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties. Compared with traditional pure metal or alloy coatings, composite coatings can significantly improve the comprehensive properties of matrix materials by introducing micro-scale or nano-scale reinforced particles, which were widely used in aerospace, automotive, electronics, machinery and other industrial fields. Nickel-based composite coatings are usually prepared by electroless plating method, in which metals, alloys or nano-particles are deposited on the substrate surface through autocatalytic reduction reaction. Such coatings can not only improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance and oxidation resistance, but also enhance the erosion resistance and self-lubricating properties of materials to a certain extent. This paper systematically reviews the recent research progress in nickel-based electroless composite plating, focusing on the deposition mechanism, preparation process and performance characteristics of nickel-based composite coatings, especially the action mechanism of nano-particles in composite coatings. Meanwhile, the future development trend of nickel-based composite coatings in the functional direction is prospected, and the application potential of this technology in high-performance surface coatings, green manufacturing and emerging technologies is discussed. Research shows that with the development of nanotechnology, nickel-based composite coatings have broad application prospects in many fields, and will play a more important role especially in the fields requiring high wear resistance, corrosion resistance and self-lubrication.