Abstract: In order to investigate the effect of frame stiffness on seismic performance of buckling-restrained steel plate shear walls, the paper takes ordinary SPSW with frames and BRSPSW as research objects, and uses ABAQUS non-linear finite element analysis software to study the mechanical performance of members with different frame stiffness. The results show that under horizontal reversed loading, the hysteretic curves of BRSPSW with frame are fuller, the equivalent viscous damping coefficient is larger, and the boundary columns and beams contribute to lateral stiffness, bearing capacity and plastic energy dissipation. At 1/50 inter-story drift ratio, the concave deformations of the frame column and the frame beam of BRSPSW are very small, Von-Mises stress is small compared with that of the pure SPSW, and the damage degree is also significantly reduced, which indicates that the requirement on the flexural stiffness of the frame column and the frame beam is significantly lower than that of the ordinary SPSW. The tension band distribution of the steel plate embedded in the BRSPSW is more uniform and fine, and the maximum out-of-plane deformation and damage degree are less than that of the pure SPSW. Bolts have a significant effect on the out-of-plane deformation of the cover plate. The maximum Von-Mises stress of RC cover plate and steel bar decreased significantly when bolt spacing was small. The current technical specification for the stiffness of the frame of pure SPSW can not be well applied to BRSPSW.