In this paper, single-layer coatings based on two-component TiN and ZrN, three-component (Ti, Zr)N and (Ti, Al)N and four-component (Ti, Zr, Al)N nitrides were obtained by pulsed magnetron sputtering, DC magnetron sputtering, cathodic arc evaporation, and com-bined method at various process parameters. The protective properties of these coatings in 0.3% NaCl, 3% NaCl, and 5% NaOH were related with their structure, texture, thickness, phase and elemental composition. The two-component nanostructured coating TiN based on phase c-TiN obtained by pulsed magnetron sputtering decreases the corrosion and passive current in 3% NaCl by over 2500 times. The stoichiometric nanostructured coating ZrN deposited by cathodic arc evaporation slows down the corrosion in the 5% NaOH by over 3000 times, and the passive current - by 2000 times. The single-layer three-component (Ti, Al)N and four-component (Ti, Zr, Al)N coatings exhibit, as a rule, worse corrosion resistance compared to the two-component TiN, ZrN and three-component (Ti, Zr)N coatings. It was found that the composition gradient inside the single-layer coating leads to a deterioration of its protective properties. Based on alternating TiN, ZrN, and (Ti, Zr)N layers optimized by structure and composition five multilayer coatings have been developed. The structure and composition gradient of multilayer coatings was received by changing of material and deposition method of layers. It has been experimentally proved that the obtained multilayer nanostructured coatings possess a complex of high corrosion, physicomechanical and tribological properties.