Objective To systematically review perioperative safety and middle-term and long-term complications of Roux-en-Y anastomosis and Billroth-Ⅰ anastomosis after distal subtotal gastrectomy by a meta-analysis. Methods Literatures about Roux-en-Y and Billroth-Ⅰ anastomoses after distal subtotal gastrectomy in Embase, PubMed, MedLine, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched. Retrieval time was from December 1, 2015 to March 1, 2016. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literatures, extracted data, and evaluated the qualities of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager Version 5.1 software. Results Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally included involving 600 patients, of which 302 patients were underwent Roux-en-Y anasomosis, 298 patients were underwent Billroth-Ⅰ anasomosis. The results of meta-analysis showed that the Billroth-Ⅰ anastomosis operation had more advantages in the operative time 〔WMD: 38.95; 95%CI: (19.86, 58.04);P<0.000 1〕 and the intraoperative bleeding 〔WMD: 34.85; 95%CI: (2.13, 67.56);P=0.04〕. However, the Roux-en-Y anastomosis had more significant effects in the prevention of bile reflux 〔OR: 0.03; 95%CI: (0.01, 0.11);P<0.000 01〕 and the residual gastritis 〔OR: 0.37; 95%CI: (0.25, 0.54);P<0.000 01〕. There were no differences in the hospital stay 〔WMD: 2.96; 95%CI: (–0.00, 5.93);P=0.05〕, anastomotic leakage 〔OR: 0.43; 95%CI: (0.11, 1.68);P=0.23〕, anastomotic stricture 〔OR: 1.84; 95%CI: (0.61, 5.53);P=0.27〕, reflux esophagitis〔OR: 0.63; 95%CI: (0.28, 1.44);P=0.27〕, and delayed gastric emptying 〔OR: 1.24; 95%CI: (0.46, 3.30);P=0.67〕 between the Roux-en-Y anastomosis and Billroth-Ⅰ anastomosis. Conclusions Billroth- I anastomosis and Roux-en-Y anastomosis have their own advantages and disadvantages, in term of safety of Billroth- I anastomosis is better, but it’s quality of life is worse as compared with Roux-en-Y anastomosis. However, more high-quality, well-designed, adequate RCTs data are needed to validate.