The functional surface possessing spontaneous and directional liquid transport property is crucial important in the fields of microfluidics, heat transfer, and mass transfer, etc. This kind of surface works under the comprehensive influence of surface micro- and nanostructures, static and dynamic solid-liquid wetting properties. Thus, the work demonstrated the relationship between solid-liquid wetting models and adhesion property. Meanwhile, the influence of the solid surface properties (i.e., surface morphology and wettability) on solid-liquid contact was also included. What’s more, according to the homogeneous properties, the functional surfaces of spontaneous and directional liquid transport were divided into homogenized wetting mode and unhomogenized wetting mode. The homogenized wetting mode mainly involved wettability gradient surface, cone shape surface, wettability pattern surface, as well as thin porous material surface; while the unhomogenized wetting mode included capillary force driven surface of microchannels, Laplace pressure gradient driven surface, and capillary driven slippery surface. The mechanism of self-propelling property for each kind of surface was analyzed. The applications of these surfaces, including water vapor collection and oil-water separation, were summarized. Finally, the problems of these surfaces were summarized and potential solutions were also demonstrated. On the basis of this, prospects of functional surfaces were also illustrated.