The study explored to evaluate and compare the effect of docetaxel and abiraterone in the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. 40 metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients were retrospectively analysed and were divided into 2 groups, A and B each of 20 individuals (n=20). Group A was treated with docetaxel+prednisone tablets, and group B was treated with abiraterone+prednisone tablets. After the treatment, the treatment effects, progression-free survival, 1 y survival rate, tumor marker index levels, residual urine volume, maximum flow rate of urine, testosterone, and prostate-specific levels before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Prostate specific antigen and androgen receptor splice variant-7 levels were compared to evaluate the safety of the two groups. The total effective rate in group B was 85 %, which was significantly higher than that in group A (p<0.05). The progression-free survival in group B was 13.2 mo, while in group A it was 10.2 mo (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in 1 y survival rate between the two groups (p>0.05). The levels of tumor markers in group B were lower than those in group A (p<0.05). The reduction of residual urine volume in group B was higher than that in group A (p<0.05), and maximum flow rate was greater in group A than in group B (p<0.05). The levels of testosterone, prostate specific antigen and androgen receptor splice variant-7 were lower in group B than those in group A (p<0.05). The adverse reaction rate of group B was 15 % lower than that of group A (35 %) (p<0.05). Abiraterone has a good clinical effect, can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients, with high drug safety, and is worthy of promotion.