<p>In current work, the comparative study on mechanical properties of polypropylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (PP/EVA) blend with 80/20 weight ratio compatibilized by maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-<i>g</i>-MAH) or filled with nanosilica was performed. It was found that the blends compatibilized by PP-<i>g</i>-MAH possessed superior mechanical properties, owing to enhanced interfacial adhesion between PP and EVA phases and refined EVA droplets resulting from the bridging effect of PP-<i>g</i>-MAH. By contrast, nanosilica exclusively facilitates morphological compatibilization regardless of their surface properties, due to elevated viscoelasticity of the blends originating from its selective distribution, which is reflected in the refinement of the EVA dispersed phase domains. Silica nanoparticles serve as stress concentration points under the tensile load condition, giving rise to the depression in tensile properties of the blends. However, the incorporation of nanosilica could enhance the impact toughness of the blend through inducing the generation of more cavities and microvoids. Hydrophilic nanosilica has a better toughening effect than its hydrophobic counterpart for a given nanosilica concentration. This could be attributed to its stronger refinement effect on the EVA particles. This work offers a holistic insight into the compatibilization essence of copolymer and nanofiller in PP/EVA blends from the viewpoint of mechanical properties.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>