Owing to the intrinsic flame-retardancy, thermal stability, sound absorption, and easy processing, melamine–formaldehyde foams(MFs) have drawn substantial attention. Typically, the high-porosity and compressibility of flexible MFs render them suitable for the construction of 3D templates and in the fabrication of porous N-doped carbon materials. But the widespread applications of MFs still suffer high brittleness and low strength, calling for modifying and toughening MFs with more facile and economical methods, and much potential in advanced applications by functional design deserves further exploration. This review comprehensively summarized and evaluated the recent progress of the toughening methods of MFs. We will also look into the applications of commercial MFs, carbonized MFs and foam-based composites in flame retardancy and thermal management, oil/water separation, photothermal conversion, electrical energy storage, and other fields, aiming to give a guide for the preparation, modification, and exploitation of MFs both in traditional and emerging areas.