Metal-free　catalysts　have　distinct　advantages　over　metal　and　metal　oxide　catalysts,　such　as　lower　cost　as　well　as　higher　reliability　and　sustainability.　Among　the　nonmetal　compounds　used　in　catalysis,　boron-containing　compounds　with　a　few　unique　properties　have　been　developed.　In　this　Minireview,　the　recent　advances　in　the　field　of　boron-containing　metal-free　catalysts　are　presented,　including　binary　and　ternary　boron-containing　catalytic　materials.　Additionally,　the　three　main　applications　in　catalysis　are　considered,　namely,　electrocatalysis,　thermal　catalysis,　and　photocatalysis,　with　the　role　of　boron　discussed　in　depth　for　each　specific　catalytic　application.　Boron-containing　compounds　could　have　a　substantial　impact　on　the　field　of　metal-free　catalysts　in　the　future.　©　2017　Wiley-VCH　Verlag　GmbH　&　Co.　KGaA,　Weinheim