Objective To investigate the microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties of the Ti-Al-N coatings synthesized by multi-plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MPIIID). Methods The microstructure and phase composition of the as-deposited coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical, bonding and tribological properties of the as-deposited coatings were investigated using nano-indentation technology, Brinell hardness tester, friction and laser scanning confocal microscope. Results Ti-Al-N coatings showed high adhesion strength with the substrate. Al incorporation induced a serious lattice distortion. Ti-Al-N coating with an Al content of 6. 18% was mainly composed of c-TiAlN phase and possessed a super hardness of about 39. 83 GPa. However, the soft h-TiAlN phase in the Ti-Al-N coating increased with the increasing Al content, which led to the continuous reduction in hardness of the Ti-Al-N coatings. Tribological test results showed that the Ti-Al-N coating with a low Al content exhibited excellent wear resistance and its wear mechanisms was defined as abrasive wear. However, the Ti-Al-N coating with a high Al content exhibited poor wear resistance and its wear mechanisms was defined as adhesive wear. Conclusion The multi-plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MPIIID) technique successfully realized the low temperature deposition and composition control of the Ti-Al-N coatings. Ti-Al-N coating with low Al content exhibited excellent mechanical and antiwear properties.