Additive manufacturing as a major component of the “fourth Industrial Revolution” is getting more and more attention. Friction additive manufacturing technology (FAM) is a subdivision of additive manufacturing technology. Because of its solid-state characteristics, deposition by FAM shows better mechanical performance than other technologies such as powder bed fusion technologies. This paper presents a state-of-the-art survey on the development of FAM in three categories: (i) Friction stir additive manufacturing; (ii) Friction surfacing additive manufacturing; (iii) Metal powder assisted additive manufacturing. The underlying principles, process parameters, microstructure, mechanical properties, and existing problems are described and discussed in detail.