The incidence of degenerative spine diseases is increasing with the aging population. The degeneration process includes alterations in the osseous structures and intervertebral disks and evolves as a consequence of chronic overloading. For decades, fusion and rigid instrumentation were accepted as the mainstay of surgical treatment of degenerative diseases. However, the complications associated with the technique in adjacent spinal segments, and the limitation of motion have led to the improvement of dynamic instrumentation systems. Dynamic stabilization theoretically aims to reduce the biomechanical stress in the adjacent spinal segments and to avoid the fatigue failure of implants. They are indicated in degenerative disc diseases, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and deformity surgery. Dynamic systems are categorized as posterior interspinous spacers, posterior pedicle fixation dynamic stabilization systems and total facet replacement systems. The clinical outcomes of rigid and dynamic systems are found to be similar. Adjacent segment pathologies are less and motion is better preserved via dynamic systems. On the other hand, the frequency of complications associated with implant failure such as screw loosening is higher, compared with the rigid instrumentation. In this literature review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dynamic and rigid stabilization systems in patients who require long-segment instrumentation.