Bipolar plate (BP) is the key multifunctional component in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and has significant influence on the service life, cost and performance of PEMFC. Compared with graphite and carbon-based composite bipolar plates, metal bipolar plate has become the mainstream material of BP due to small volume, high strength and excellent electrical conductivity. However, metal BP are prone to corrosion in the environment of PEFMC, and the oxide film generated on the surface of metal BP reduce its electrical conductivity, which seriously hinders the further application of the metal BP. The research progress of surface modification in metal BP was explored from aspects of material selection, coating structure design and characteristics. Furthermore, the latest results of metal-based coatings (precious metals, metal carbon/nitrides, alloy, etc.) and carbon-based coatings (graphite, conductive polymers, amorphous carbon, etc.) on metal BP were discussed especially. Moreover, the performances of various coatings were valued according coatings binding strength, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and wettability. Coatings with multilayer composite and nanoscale structure could improve its denseness, conductivity and corrosion resistance. Obviously, how to reduce BP’s cost and improve the corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and reliability of BP becomes the research trend of BP and has a significant impact on performance improvement and industrialization of PEMFC.