The production of organic solid waste is increasing, and the most common way to deal with it is composting. The generation of compost leachate accompanies the composting process of organic solid waste. Compost leachate is a kind of complex liquid, the composition of compost leachate is affected by compost material and compost treatment. The composting leachate contains the organic nutrients lost in the composting process and some environmental pollution components. This paper reviewed the composition of compost leachate from different compost materials and the effects of different compost treatments on the leachate. At present, the properties of compost leachate are directly affected by the biological treatment and chemical treatment of compost leachate on the one hand, and the pretreatment of the compost indirectly affects the characteristics of compost leachate on the other hand. Finally, the application prospect of composting leachate was prospected and suggestions were made to provide reference for the treatment and application of composting leachate.