Metal additive manufacturing (AM) relies on metal powder as the basic feedstock for most of the metal AM technologies, including powder bed fusion – laser beam (PBF-LB) and electron beam (PBF-EB). However, in order to assure the robust AM processing, requirements to the powder feedstock are dependent on AM technology used, powder supply and spreading system, etc., as well powder alloy itself. At the same time, powder properties are strongly determined by the atomization method and alloy system used. Processing conditions during powder-based metal AM differ significantly, depending on technology, hardware solution and process parameters employed. This results in changes in powder properties during manufacturing cycle and especially during its reuse, also having significant impact on the final component properties. This work summarizes impact of different atomization technologies on powder properties in dependence on alloy composition, behavior of powders produced using different atomization techniques during AM processing and their impact on final powder properties, as well powder degradation and its mechanisms in dependance on alloy composition and AM technology applied. Focus is place on powder surface chemistry and covers number of alloy systems, including Fe-, Ni-, Al- and Ti-alloys.