Photodynamic therapy (PDT)is a promising therapeutic modality that can selectively destroy oncological and nononcological diseases with photosensitizer activated by specific wavelength light in the presence of oxygen. The efficiency of PDT depends strongly on the selection of irradiation light, including emission wavelength, irradiation mode and treatment dose. In this review, recent advances in the five kinds of PDT light sources, including daylight, near infrared light, Xray, internal light and light emitting diode were introduced in detail. Meanwhile, the advantages and limitations of each light source are discussed. Furthermore, in order to achieve the personalized irradiation mode for improving the therapeutic effects and preciseness of clinical PDT, the surface and internal light irradiation were described. The developments of new PDT light sources with easier operation, lower price and greater performance are highlighted.