► We review the current status of catalytic and non-catalytic VOC abatement based on a vast number of research papers. ► The underlying mechanisms of plasma–catalysis for VOC abatement are discussed. ► Critical process parameters that determine the influent are discussed and compared. This paper reviews recent achievements and the current status of non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology for the abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many reactor configurations have been developed to generate a NTP at atmospheric pressure. Therefore in this review article, the principles of generating NTPs are outlined. Further on, this paper is divided in two equally important parts: plasma-alone and plasma–catalytic systems. Combination of NTP with heterogeneous catalysis has attracted increased attention in order to overcome the weaknesses of plasma-alone systems. An overview is given of the present understanding of the mechanisms involved in plasma–catalytic processes. In both parts (plasma-alone systems and plasma–catalysis), literature on the abatement of VOCs is reviewed in close detail. Special attention is given to the influence of critical process parameters on the removal process.