Gear parts are the core basic parts that restrict the independent research and development of various high-end equipments in China. The surface quality of gears is crucial for their long life, low noise, and high stability operation. Based on a comprehensive analysis of a variety of finishing processes for gear parts, the advantages of mass finishing processes to improve the surface integrity of gear parts are clarified from the perspective of precision-performance coordination and integrated universal high-efficiency machining. After a comprehensive overview of the basic characteristics of mass finishing, a systematic overview of the research and application status of gear parts at home and abroad, and summarized the technical principles, characteristics and application scope of different processes. In view of the different problems existing in the mass finishing of gear parts at this stage, based on the high-quality development concept of high-efficiency, green universality, and industrialization and practicality; systematic new thinking and new strategies are proposed in terms of gears structure characteristics, mass finishing method, processing surface evolution, composite processing mechanism, media characteristics, and modification process combination, which have positive references for further promoting the continuous upgrading and development of gear parts mass finishing technology.