Alkylate gasoline produced by the reaction of isobutane with light olefins is a high value blending component of the gasoline pool owing to its high octane (both RON and MON) and its clean burning properties. In the first part of this article, the main aspects of the actual alkylation technology based on H
2
SO
4
or HF liquid‐acid catalysts are described, including the proposed reaction mechanisms, the influence of operating variables on product quality, and a brief description of the commercial sulfuric and hydrofluoric alkylation processes. Special emphasis is given in this part to the recent developments directed to improve the efficiency of the actual liquid‐acid alkylation processes, as well as to reduce the potential dangers associated with the use of H
2
SO
4
and HF catalysts. In the second part of the article, the latest achievements in the use of environmental friendly solid acids as a desirable alternative to the liquid‐acid alkylation technology are reviewed. The different solid acids studied as potential alkylation catalysts include supported Brönsted and Lewis acids, exchange resins and composites, zeolites, sulfated metal oxides, and heteropolyacids and their salts. Their catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability in relation to the isobutane alkylation reaction are discussed. Finally, different reactor configurations and processes proposed for solid acid alkylation are also addressed.