A comparative analysis of confirmed cases of human influenza virus (HIFV), human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was conducted to describe their clinical and epidemiological characteristics. During 2009−2021, active surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) was performed in nine provinces of China. Clinical and epidemiological information and laboratory testing results of HIFV, HRSV, and HMPV were analyzed. Among 11591 ARI patients, the single-infection rates of HIFV, HRSV, and HMPV were 15.00%, 9.59%, and 2.24%, respectively; the coinfection rate of these three viruses was 0.64%. HIFV infection was mainly in adults aged 15−59 years, accounting for 39.10%. HRSV and HMPV infections were mainly in children under 5 years old, accounting for 87.13% and 83.46%, respectively. Patients with HRSV infection were younger than HMPV.HRSV and HMPV had high similarities in clinical manifestations, presenting with lower respiratory symptoms. HIFV mainly presented with an upper respiratory infection. The epidemic peak of HRSV was earlier than that of HIFV, and that of HMPV was later than those of HRSV and HFIV. A total of 85.14% of coinfection