This paper is mainly focused on the research of magnetic attitude control algorithms for low-cost micro-satellites with only magnetic torque as the executor and no flywheel.First of all, a comparison is made to different attitude control algorithms for micro-satellites, then a new magnetic-only attitude control algorithm adaptive for engineering application is proposed.The new algorithm can improve the efficiency of satellite attitude control in its limited life cycle.At last, simulation is made based on the measured data and by introducing such disturbances as gravity gradient torque.The result indicates that the new algorithm can satisfy three-axis attitude stabilization of the satellite in short time, and has the advantages of high precision, light weight, small volume, low energy consumption, and easy for engineering application, which make it applicable for low-cost micro-satellites.