Standard hardmetal coating compositions are based on WC and Cr3C2 with Co or Ni as binder materials. Due to the classification of Co as injurious to health and both W and Co as critical raw materials their replacement in applications where their extraordinary performance is not required, is coming into focus. TiC-based compositions are one of the most studied alternatives and are technically competitive. For reaching further improvements, in this work four different modified TiC-based compositions ((TiCN-12%Mo2C-27%Ni, TiCN-12Mo2C-37%Ni, TiCN-19WC-34%Ni, (Ti,W)C-30%Ni) are studied. These feedstock powders were prepared by agglomeration (spray drying) and sintering and characterized by microstructure and porosity, as well as their melting behavior by DSC experiments. In the sintering step the formation of the core-rim structured hard phase is partially observed. Coatings were deposited with a liquid-fueled HVOF process (JP 5000). Coating microstructure and phase composition, as well as coating properties (microhardness HV0.3 and abrasion, erosion and sliding wear resistance) were studied and will be discussed in detail, including the low-friction properties of this class of coating material. These properties are also comparatively discussed with those of WC-CoCr and Cr3C2-NiCr coatings.