The differences between MoS2, CoMoS and NiMoS HDS catalysts supported on γ-alumina and high SSA titania are investigated based on the results of [ 35 S]DBT HDS experiments. Previous studies of MoS2 and CoMoS are reviewed, discussed and compared with new results for NiMoS. Introduction of Ni or Co to MoS2/Al2O3 catalysts classically yields a signifi cant increase in HDS performance. Irrespective of the promoter, an increase in S0, the number of labile sulfur atoms, is observed. In contrast, kRE kRE k , the H2S liberation rate constant, plotted as a function of the Ni/Mo ratio, presents a volcano profi le on Ni-promoted catalysts, but kRE kRE k reaches a plateau from low Co/Mo ratios on Co-promoted catalysts. The TiMoS phase, which is formed in-situ during HDS on Mo/ TiO2 catalysts, promotes sulfur mobility and makes Mo/TiO2 catalysts more active than Mo/Al2O3 catalysts. Nevertheless, CoMo/TiO2 catalysts are less active than CoMo/Al2O3 catalysts because further promotion of TiMoS phase with Co might yield excessive weakening of the metal _ sulfur bonds, and/or some Co atoms might be lost in the TiO2 matrix without interacting with MoS2. In contrast, introduction of Ni to Mo/TiO2 catalysts yields significant increases in both kRE and S0. The NiMo/TiO2 catalysts exhibit HDS performances close to those of Al2O3-supported catalysts. Clearly catalytic behavior over Co-and Ni-promoted catalysts is different.