Anthocyanin is a flavonoid, widely found in various plant organs. It is not only an important water-soluble pigment in nature, but also has good biological activities such as antioxidant property, anticancer, disease prevention, etc., so it is widely used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The extraction and purification of anthocyanins from natural plants is a prerequisite for their application of anthocyanins. The latest research advances on extraction and purification of anthocyanins are reviewed. The effects of different extraction and purification methods on the extraction efficiency and purity are analyzed and compared. The review will provide reference for further research on anthocyanins and the realization of efficient extraction and high-value utilization of anthocyanins.