Articles devoted to non-platinum anode catalysts for DMFC and PEMFC application, operated in acidic media were reviewed. Several classes of possible platinum substitutes based on transition metal carbides, oxides, alloys and new exotic catalysts were described, with focus on synthetic methods, corrosion stability and activity in reactions of methanol/hydrogen oxidation. Directions for future research in field of non-platinum anode materials were discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.