This work is to improve the properties and cutting performance of AlCrN coating by applying pre-treatments on the substrate. In this paper, different pretreatment methods (wet sandblasting, dry sandblasting and shot peening) are used to treat the surface of high-speed steel substrate, and then AlCrN coating were deposited. The effects of different pretreatment methods on coating structure, surface morphology, friction and wear, and cutting performance of the AlCrN coatings are analyzed by XRD, SEM, friction and wear, and cutting tests. The results show that, comparing with the AlCrN coating without pretreatment, the adhesion of the AlCrN coatings with wet sandblasting and dry sandblasting treatment have been improved, reaching 40.10 N and 35.47 N. There was no obvious phase change of the coating, but the preferred growth of the AlCrN coating with dry sandblasting and particle shot peening treatments changed from (111) plane to (200) plane. For the tribological result, the main wear mechanism of AlCrN coatings with wet sandblasting and shot peening pre-treatment were abrasive wear and oxidation wear, the AlCrN coating with the dry sandblasting pre-treatments showed oxidation wear. The cutting results also showed that the AlCrN tools with dry sandblasting pre-treatments has the best cutting performance.