Over the past two decades, pulsed‐laser three‐dimensional imaging flash lidar using avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays has attracted extensive research interest due to its great potential for both military and civilian applications. This invited paper gives a brief review of the state‐of‐art pulsed‐laser three‐dimensional imaging flash lidar using APD arrays. The principle of the pulsed‐laser three‐dimensional imaging flash lidar using APD arrays is briefly introduced. According to the working mode of the APD arrays, we divide the current flash lidar into two types: the linear‐mode and the Geiger‐mode. The performances of the pulsed‐laser three‐dimensional imaging flash lidar using APD arrays working at linear‐mode and the Geiger‐mode are summarized. The opportunities and challenges in this field are also discussed. This review is expected to provide a snapshot of the current landscape of flash lidar using APD arrays to attract more interest in this field.