Objective To determine the effectiveness and safety of autologous platelet-rich gel in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. Methods We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL), MEDLINE or PubMed, EMbase, OVID Database, Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBMDisc), CNKI, Chinese VIP Database and WANFANG Database. We also handsearched the bibliographies of retrieved articles and correlated proceedings. The systematic review was conducted using the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Four trials involving 216 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed (1) Diabetic foot ulcer healing rate: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (Plt;0.000 01); (2) Diabetic foot ulcer reduction rate: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (P=0.000 3); (3) Diabetic foot ulcer healing time: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (Plt;0.000 01); (4) Complications: No patient in these trials had complications. Conclusions The limited current evidence shows that autologous platelet-rich gel is safe and effective in the short-term treatment for diabetic foot ulcer.