As an additive manufacturing technology to fabricate metallic components directly, the selective laser melting (SLM) can be used to fabricate complex structures with a high precision. The development status and principle of SLM technology are introduced, and the research and application status of SLM technology of titanium and titanium alloys at home and abroad are discussed from several aspects, which include material systems, forming processes, microstructures and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the problems and future trend of SLM technology for titanium and titanium alloys are summarized and prospected, respectively.