Owing to the intrinsic flame-retardancy, thermal stability, sound absorption, and easy processing, melamine–formaldehyde foams(MFs) have drawn substantial attention. Typically, the high-porosity and compressibilityof flexible MFs render them suitable for the construction of 3D templates and in thefabrication of porous N-doped carbon materials. But the widespread applications of MFs still suffer highbrittleness and low strength, calling for modifying and toughening MFs with more facile and economicalmethods, and much potential in advanced applications by functional design deserves further exploration. This review comprehensively summarized and evaluated the recent progress of the toughening methodsof MFs. We will also look into the applications of commercial MFs, carbonized MFs and foam-based compositesin flame retardancy and thermal management, oil/water separation, photothermal conversion,electrical energy storage, and other fields, aiming to give a guide for the preparation, modification, andexploitation of MFs both in traditional and emerging areas.