Abstract: The reaction mechanism, preparation, classification and characteristics of catalysts for sulfur recovery and tail gas hydrogenation are reviewed. Some application results of main commercial catalysts worldwide are compared. It can be briefly summarized that multi-functional sulfur recovery catalyst having leakage O2 protection function and organic sulfur hydrolysis function, also exhibits good Claus reaction activity and high resistance to sulfation; novel low temperature Claus tail gas hydrogenation catalyst due to having high activity could reduce reaction temperature and energy consumption, thus, less investment, good environmental and economic benefit could be provided. To optimize sulfur recovery production, from the economic point of view, the most effective solution is to develop series of all-purpose catalysts.