As important structural materials, niobium and stainless steel are widely used in the aerospace. However, brittle intermetallic compounds are easily formed, and high residual stress is distributed within the joint, which easily leads to cracking. In this paper, aiming at the current research status of niobium alloy and stainless steel welding, the main joining methods of niobium and stainless steel are reviewed: Explosive welding, brazing and fusion welding. Although explosive welding and brazing can suppress welding cracks, the complex welding process of explosive welding and the low joint strength of brazing are difficult to meet the application requirements of niobium/stainless steel composite structures. High residual stress distributed in the fusion welded joint, and many brittle Nb–Fe intermetallic compounds formed in the weld, resulting in poor mechanical properties of the joint. In view of the above problems, the fusion welding of niobium alloy and stainless steel is prospected: Conducting finite element simulation to guide welding process optimization, introducing a third component into the weld to improve the weldability of niobium and stainless steel, and exploring reasonable heat treatment processes to improve the mechanical properties of the joint.