The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful tool for the broad range of molecular studies and various applications including biosensning, environmental monitoring, nanocatalysis, and biomedical imaging. It is critical to develop a simple, inexpensive, and controlled method to synthesis SERS-active nanomaterials for fundamental study and innovative applications. In this review, we not only discuss the SERS properties and characterization methods of the metal nanoparticles but also the major challenges for the commercialization of SERS using nanoparticles. Moreover, this review highlights the new advances on the design and nanofabrication of SERS-active substrates and recent applications of SERS as well as the future developments prospects of SERS.