Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor in the world, and surgical resection and liver transplantation are two radical treatment modalities, but only 10%-20% of all patients can receive such treatments. In recent years, local therapies including radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation, and the irreversible electroporation ablation which appeared recently have gradually become the alternative therapies for the patients who are unable to undergo surgery. In addition to local tumor growth control and improvement in survival outcomes, the ablation technology also helps to downgrade tumor for secondary resection. This article focuses on the research progress in radiofrequency ablation alone and in combination with other therapies in the treatment of HCC, compares radiofrequency ablation with other local ablative therapies, and briefly introduces the application of intelligent navigation technology in adjuvant ablation. With the development of medical imaging and progress in related fields, the ablation technology will be widely applied in clinical practice in the future.