<p>Traditional rigid retaining structures made of cement-concrete are commonly used in road embankments as part of rapid urbanization efforts to address land scarcity. These systems typically require well-compacted and conditioned backfill for effective stabilization as similar to other mechanically stabilized earth retaining solutions. However, they face significant challenges due to the non-homogeneous nature of backfill materials, hydrodynamic pressures from heavy flooding, and varying traffic load conditions. Moreover, serviceability issues and structural failures often arise from parametric variations such as loading frequency and type, material properties, and environmental influences. In contrast, flexible retaining systems offer enhanced adaptability and can mitigate these adverse effects on slope stability through innovative geometrical configurations. Geocell-based retaining structures (GRWs), in particular, provide lateral confinement to the infill soil and allow for differential movement at the embankment crest. This is achieved by mobilizing inertia forces, slab-membrane action, seam strength, and facilitating pore pressure dissipation through perforations. Previous studies have demonstrated significant research conducted using GRW, using limited experimental and numerical analyses, showing an approximate 23% of Geocell utilization as a retaining solution compared to other geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications. In this context, the present study provides a comprehensive review of GRWs, focusing on key factors such as material selection, load transfer mechanisms, and structural response. The review also highlights the advantages of GRWs over conventional retaining walls in light of recent research developments.</p>