A three-dimensional (3D) porous nano-Ni supported Si composite film is successfully fabricated by the combination of hydrogen bubble template electrodeposition of porous nano-Ni film and radiofrequency magnetron sputtering amorphous silicon. As anode for lithium-ion batteries, the 3D porous Ni/Si composite film shows noticeable electrochemical performance with high capacity of 2444mAhg−1 at a current density of 0.84Ag−1, superior capacity retention of 83% after 100 cycles, as well as excellent rate capability with 1420 and 1273mAhg−1 at charge–discharge current densities of 4.2Ag−1 and 8.4Ag−1 after 100 cycles, respectively. The enhanced electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the highly porous conductive architecture, which provides good mechanical support and electron conducting pathway for active silicon and alleviates the structure degradation caused by volume expansion during the cycling process.