Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are commercially available in electric vehicles and portable smart devices, but the resources are dwindling and there is a rising demand which must be catered. Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are inexpensive and promising candidates for replacing LIBs in the future, thanks to the abundant reserves of Na element in the nature for large-scale energy storage. Anodes of SIBs, despite being necessary components of batteries, are a bottleneck and less understood compared to the cathode. Herein, a comprehensive study encompassing the progress of various types of carbon-based, metallic compounds and organic anodes by intercalation, alloying and conversion reaction mechanisms is presented to reveal the prospects and challenges in depth. The structural modification and nano-structural, doping, coating, and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) modification strategies which have a good impact on the electrochemical performance of the anodes of SIBs are discussed. The sodiation mechanism should also be understood in depth to enhance the kinetics of the redox reactions during the sodiation and desodiation process. The economical and environmentally friendly anodes that are not only commercially viable, but also have higher initial coulombic efficiency and electrochemical performance are necessary to promote the commercialization of the SIBs anode materials.