Objective To compare the effects of supra‑inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (S‑FICB) and lumbar plexus block (LPB) on analgesia in patients undergoing direct anterior total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods SA total of 60 patients who were scheduled for direct anterior THA were enrolled. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=30): a S‑FICB group (group S) and a LPB group (group L). Both groups underwent nerve blockage before general anesthesia, where patients in group S underwent ultrasound‑guided S‑FICB and those in group L received LPB through ultrasound and a nerve stimulator. After surgery, all the patients received patient‑controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). The ultrasound imaging time and puncture time were recorded. The sensory blockade rate in the anterior, lateral and medial parts of the thigh was evaluated within 30 min after ropivacaine administration. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores at resting 2, 8, 12, 24 h and 48 h after surgery, the dose of remifentanil during surgery, the dose of sufentanil after surgery, the time of PCIA pressing, and the rate of rescue analgesia were recorded. Results Group S presented shorter ultrasound imaging time and puncture time than group L (P<0.05). There were more patients in group L without the sense in the medial part of the thigh than those in group S (P<0.05). The dose of remifentanil used by group L was less than that by group S (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in sensory blockade rate in the anterior, lateral and medial parts of the thigh within 30 min after blockade, VAS scores at each time points after surgery, the dose of sufentanil, the times of PCIA pressing, and the rate of rescue analgesia (P>0.05). Conclusions S‑FICB is safe and effective method for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing direct anterior THA, with similar postoperative analgesia with LPB.