Abstract: In response to water scarcity, the reverse osmosis membrane treatment technology is being developed rapidly. Membrane scale inhibitors are widely used in this field to sluggish the scaling of membrane modules and improve water purification efficiency. Common membrane scale inhibitors include phosphorus-containing agents, anionic polymers, cationic polymers and green scale inhibitors. These inhibitors mitigate scale formation through chelation, dispersion, lattice distortion and threshold effects. Dendritic polymeric membrane scale inhibitors have excellent scale inhibitory properties. The structurally similar spherical polyelectrolyte brushes are also emerging as promising scale inhibitors in the field of membrane treatment. In-depth research into studying the scale inhibitory mechanisms of membrane scale inhibitors can provide theoretical basis for the better design and development of scale inhibitory agents that are green and effective.