This paper deals with the production of porous functional coatings by means of high-frequency plasma spraying. This technology is presented for the first time in connection with controlled, open, porous, and graded structures. Materials such as pure metals (molybdenum and titanium), high-temperature alloys (Inconel), and ceramics (yttrium oxide-stabilized zirconium oxide) have been processed with several powder fractions with extremely different process parameters (container pressure, power, plasma gas composition). The samples were tested for their characteristic properties (porosity, effective pore sizes and permeability). The status of development is reported and potential attractive industrial applications are mentioned. Paper includes a German-language abstract.