Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), featuring the ordered porous structure and abundant topology, have been widely concerned and thoroughly reviewed according to its application prospects in recent years. Although the metal center is critical to the structure and performance of MOFs, summaries of the MOFs with a specific central metal are still few at present. As the only heavy metal element with considerable abundance and low toxicity, bismuth-based metal-organic frameworks (Bi-MOFs) stand out among MOFs for its innocuousness and biocompatibility. It would be a significant direction to design legitimately, synthesize successfully, and exploit steadily the Bi-MOFs with rich structures in the current MOFs research. However, this specific type of MOFs is still in its infancy, which is limited by the flexible coordination environment and low solubility of Bi (Ⅲ) cation. The synthesis of Bi-MOFs in the aqueous solution has always been an enormous challenge resulting from the hydrolysis of the bismuth salt. Herein, this article reviews the common ligands and general synthesis methods of Bi-MOFs in recent years, focusing on its application in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, drug carriers, gas adsorbents and electrode materials. By profusely discussing the mechanism and reaction rules in catalytic reactions, this review aims to provide rewarding references for similar catalytic reactions to improve reaction efficiency and save costs. In addition, to highlight the unique advantages of Bi-MOFs, we make detailed comparisons with traditional materials. Some expanded applications of energy storage (mainly cationic battery energy storage), adsorption separation (selective adsorption of anions and enrichment of energy gas), drug delivery (the encapsulation and release of specific drugs) are also supplemented. For consideration of existing research, our work puts forward a prospect for future pioneering research to stimulate the research progress of Bi-MOFs.