Commercialization of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems requires improved SOFC performance and durability, which is highly dependent on the coupling of the SOFC stack with other auxiliary components, SOFC stack configuration, and electrode microstructure. Optimization of SOFC systems at the system/stack/cell/electrode scale via experimentation is expensive and challenging, whereas numerical modeling can be fast and cost-effective. Although many excellent reviews on SOFCs have been published, the previous articles lack practical problem-oriented literature classification and do not cover new emerging models, such as artificial intelligence (AI) assisted models, heterogeneous models, and so on. These models are important for accelerating the solution of large-scale multiphysics models and describing mesoscopic electrode behaviors. In this review, a top-down approach is adopted that can truly guide SOFC system/stack/cell/electrode design to meet targeted applications. Another distinct feature of this review is the inclusion of the latest developments in SOFC modeling. This review offers a thorough summary and in-depth analysis of an extensive collection of research on SOFC simulations, classifying the models into distinct categories based on their varying scales, and serves as a valuable tool to assist researchers in selecting the most suitable models for diverse research objects.