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Membrane fouling remains a major obstacle in liquid-based membrane processes, which restricts widespread applications of membrane-based processes. Approaches for membrane fouling control have been reported, including development of spacers. Typically, a spacer is required to provide a flow channel for the feed and permeate, to induce local mixing, and more recently to facilitate membrane fouling control. Those critical roles of a spacer could be enhanced by improving spacer design and geometry as discussed in the present paper. This study provides a comprehensive review on recent development of spacers incorporated in the plate-and-frame as well as in the spiral wound modules (SWMs), particularly on the spacer roles in membrane fouling control. The hydraulic performances of filtration systems incorporating new spacer along with the spacer’s impacts against biofouling are extensively discussed …