Ni-Fe alloy supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were successfully fabricated by a low cost and simple process involving phase-inversion, co-sintering and in situ reduction. The tubular metal supports have a special structure consisting of uniformly distributed sponge-like pores. It has proven that co-sintering the as-prepared tubular supports together with half cells (anode and electrolyte layers) is in favor of obtaining the YSZ crack free electrolyte film. In addition to the support for SOFC, the Ni-Fe alloy tube also serves as current collector at the anode side after fully in situ reduction. The maximum power densities of the Ni-Fe alloy supported tubular SOFCs are 0.26 W cm(-2) at 800 degrees C, using moist hydrogen as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. The present work demonstrates the feasibility for the fabrication of metal-supported SOFCs with acceptable performance using economical techniques. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.