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The problems of high elastic modulus and poor friction and wear properties should be investigated and solved for further promotion of the application of biomedical alloys. For the first time, Zr–4Cu–xNb–xSn (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1) biomedical alloys with low elastic modulus and excellent tribological performance are designed and vacuum smelted in this work. Phase analysis and microstructural observation indicate that the Zr–4Cu–xNb–xSn alloys consist of two phases, i.e., α-Zr and Zr3Cu. Zr3Cu is mainly concentrated in the grain boundary and the eutectoid structure. With the increase in Nb and Sn contents, content of the grain boundary Zr3Cu changes in a zigzag manner. Compression tests indicate that the alloys have low elastic modulus (25.2–27.45 GPa), high compressive strength (1024–1139 MPa) and elastic energy (7.14 MJ/m3–11.80 kJ/m3). Compressive fracture behaviors have been investigated concerning the mechanism with alloying contents and microstructure. Through the tribological test in artificial saliva, it is indicated that the Zr–4Cu–xNb–xSn alloys have better friction and wear properties than pure titanium. Wear mechanism of the alloys is mainly abrasive wear and fatigue wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]