Objective To investigate the efficacy, early and late outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for cN0-pN2 lung cancer patients compared to open lobectomy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 262 out of 1 754 patients’ clinical records with cN0-pN2 lung cancer who underwent VATS or open lobectomy in our center between January 2009 and December 2014. There were 107 patients in a VATS group with 50 males and 57 females at the age of 61.5±10.7 years, and 155 patients in an open lobectomy group consisting of 104 males and 51 females at the age of 59.0±8.7 years. Results There was no statistical difference in patients’ age, pulmonary function, and underlying diseases between two groups. Operation time was shorter in the open lobectomy group than that in the VATS group (P=0.044). Postoperative in-hospital time was shorter in the VATS surgery group than that in the open lobectomy group (P=0.008). There was an obvious difference in tumor’s maximum diameter (P<0.05). As for mediatinal lymph node, there was no statistical difference in station dissected and positive rate. One year overall survival rate was 91.6% in the VATS group and 81.9% in the open group. Three-year overall survival rate was 58.3% in the VATS group and 47.3% in the open lobectomy group (P<0.05). Conclusion VATS can achieve both the thoroughness and feasibility as the same as open surgery and with better early outcomes. The overall survival rate may have more to do with tumor’s maximum diameter, not the operation method. Still, it needs prospective studies to demonstrate this relationship.