CrAlN and CrN films were deposited on 304 stainless steel substrate by direct current magnetron sputtering. Effects of Al incorporation on the composition and microstructure for CrN film were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS), Atom force microscope (AFM) in the present work, respectively. The tribological behaviors of CrN and CrAlN films were characterized by wear tester against with a diameter of 3 mm Si3N4 ball under different conditions and the wear profiles of film were characterized by Nanomap 500LS. The results showed that the main phases of CrN film were CrN and Cr2N phase and the main phases of CrAlN film were Cr2N and CrAlN phases. The CrAlN film presented a CrAlN (200) preferred orientation and CrN film presented CrN (200) preferred orientation. In terms of CrAlN film, parts of Cr atoms were taken place by Al atoms forming the CrAlN phase which was benefited to refining grain and improving the comprehensive performance of CrAlN film. Therefore, CrAlN film exhibited an excellent wear-resistance performance and lower wear rate than CrN film in all the conditions.