Due to low density, high specific strength, and good creep resistance, TiAl alloy has been considered as the high-temperature structure candidates in aerospace and automotive industries. However, the poor high-temperature oxidation resistance limits its applications. The pure SiO2 coating with compact structure, good thermal and chemical stability can effectively improve the high temperature oxidation resistance of TiAl alloy. However, there are some issues when the SiO2 coating with simplified structure is exposed to air at high temperature for long-term, such as the large difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between SiO2 coating and TiAl substrate, and poor stability of the coating and substrate interface. To deal with these issues, SiO2 composite coating emerges, including the introduction of intermediate layer between the SiO2 coating and TiAl substrate, preparation of glass ceramic-based composite coating using the SiO2 coating as the intermediate layer. This paper briefly introduces the oxidation behavior of TiAl alloy and the methods to improve the oxidation resistance of TiAl alloy. The research progress of the silica-based protective coating at home and abroad was reviewed. The preparation methods and principles, high temperature oxidation behavior, structure of oxide scale and protective mechanism of silica-based coatings were discussed. The development trend of silica-based coatings on TiAl alloy in the future was prospected.