In this work, Ni-based alloy coatings with different CeO₂ rare earth oxide contents were deposited on carbon steel by flame spray and fusing processing. The tribological behavior of the coatings was studied using a ball-on-flat wear tester under dry sliding, ambient conditions. Hardness testing, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy with attached energy dispersive spectroscopy and oscillating friction and wear testing were employed to characterize the microhardness, microstructure and tribological properties of the coatings. The results indicated that the addition of an appropriate amount of CeO₂ could refine and purify the microstructure. The coatings containing 5 wt% CeO₂ exhibited the highest wear-resistant properties. Moreover, a new compound phase, Ce₂Ni₂₁B₆, was formed within the coatings, such that the microhardness values containing this phase were higher than those in the other coatings. Finally, the effects of CeO₂ on the coatings and the mechanism describing the sliding wear were discussed.