Objective To compare the advantage and disadvantage of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)and pneumatic dilation(PD)for the treatment of achalasia of cardia(AC). Methods Patients with confirmed AC undergoing endoscopic therapy in Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University between January 2011 and September 2014 were divided into POEM treatment group(n=56)and PD treatment group(n = 30), according to the decision of the patients and their families. Postoperative improvement of clinical symptoms, changes in the maximum esophageal diameter, complications, hospital stay,and inpatient expenses were compared between the two groups. Results No significant differences were observed in general preoperative data between the two groups,including gender,age,body mass index (BMI),maximum esophageal diameter, Eckardt score and disease duration(all P>0.05). The Eckardt score showed a significant decrease in 1, 6, and 12 months after operation compared to the pre?operation score in both groups(P<0.05). No matter 1 month or 6 months after operation, the Eckardt score had no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). Six months after operation, the response rate between the two groups was no significantly different[93%(52/56)VS 80%(24/30), χ2=0.115, P=0.076],but the maximum esophageal diameter of the POEM group was smaller than that of the PD group (25.39±7.12 mm VS 32.12±9.99 mm,t=3.612,P=0.001). Twelve months after operation,the Eckardt score of the POEM group was lower than that of the PD group(0.44±0.85 score VS 1.26±1.74 score,t=2.940,P= 0.004), and the response rate was higher in the POEM group[93%(52/56)VS 80%(24/30),χ2=0.115, P=0.076]. The incidence of pneumatic complications was 32%(18/56)in the POEM group,but none occurred in the PD group(χ2=12.195,P=0.000). The hospital stay of the POEM group and the PD group was 12.33±4.13 days and 6.50±2.28 days, respectively(W=616, P=0.000). The inpatient expense of the POEM group and the PD group was 8 013.283± 4 322.695 yuan, and 1 571.018±1 590.193 yuan,respectively(W=505,P=0.000).Conclusion Both POEM and PD showed good short?term efficacy for AC.POEM is more effective,and its treatment outcome lasts longer,whereas PD has more widely indications because it is easier to operate with less complications,shorter hospital stay,and lower costs.Trail registration Chinese clinical trial registry,ChiCTR?OOC?15005889.