As an incomplete renal replacement for the patients with either acute or chronic renal failure, membrane-based hemodialysis therapy is progressing rapidly. However, the mortality and morbidity remain unacceptably high. Much effort has been put into improving the biocompatibility of the hemodialysis membranes. To effectively remove small solutes and 'middle molecules' in compact cartridges, the hydraulic and permselective properties of the hemodialysis membranes have also been deeply investigated. An overview of recent progress of different kinds of hemodialysis membranes and their preparation technology, as well as their modification techniques, is presented. The advantages and deficiencies of many synthetic membranes, including cellulose, cellulose acetate (CA), chitosan (CS), polysulfone (PS), poly(ether sulfone) (PES), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), etc. are elaborated upon.