Isotope analysis has attracted much attention in various industrial fields dominated by the nuclear industry, and it has promoted the development of geology, materials science, chemistry and other related disciplines. In recent years, the optical isotope analysis method has attracted increasing attention. Mass spectrometry methods, such as multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), are the standard methods of isotopic analysis. However, they typically require complex sample pretreatment procedures and frequent instrumental maintenance. In this regard, optical isotope analysis methods possess their unique advantages.They can even meet the on-site real-time and rapid isotope analysis, which has already shined in nuclear industry isotope analysis and traditional stable isotope analysis. With the further development of key components of spectroscopy instruments and data processing methods, the performance of spectroscopy analysis, such as sensitivity, resolution and precision, has been greatly improved, so that optical isotope analysis methods have been developed rapidly and applied to the isotope analysis of environmental and geological samples. This article reviews the progress of the optical isotope analysis methods, classified into emission spectroscopy (atomic emission spectroscopy, molecular emission spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) and absorption spectroscopy (atomic absorption and molecular absorption) from the perspective of the principle of spectroscopic analysis. It mainly focuses on the basic principle, development history and important progress of these methods, and the advantages, and limitations compared with mass spectrometry are also briefly described. It also discussed the prospects of optical isotope analysis,especially the technical difficulties that still need to be broken through. This review will provide a reference for understanding the development of optical isotope analysis.