The situation of the current era demands reduction of exhaust emissions from the transportation sector. In spite of substantial contributions to environmental pollution, compression ignition engine is considered to be the backbone of the transportation sector. Amongst various techniques available for mitigating engine emissions, the most feasible one is to improve fuel properties using additives. In this regard, bio-additives are getting attention due to the added advantages of being degradable and non-toxic in nature. Therefore, an attempt has been taken in this study to review the emission and performance characteristics of compression ignition engine using bio-additives. From this study, it is seen that more than 80% reduction in carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions can be achieved using certain bio-additives at particular operating conditions. In the case of unburnt hydrocarbon, smoke emission and exhaust gas temperature, the maximum reduction is more than 50%, 65% and 14%, respectively, in comparison with the base fuels without additives. However, the added advantage of using bio-additives for reducing life-threatening harmful emissions from compression ignition engines is indistinguishable from the fact of their negative impacts on brake-specific fuel consumption. Limited available studies in the context of brake power have shown that except quantum dot nanoparticle, almost all of the bio-additives have a negative or insignificant influence on brake power. Furthermore, strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis for the application of bio-additives has been also conducted.