The conversion of greenhouse gases, H 2 and CO selectivity, H 2 /CO ratio, and carbon formation in the dry reforming reaction over Ni-supported ZSM-5, Al 2 O 3 , and TiO 2 are tested under thermal, plasma, and plasma–thermal conditions. It is observed that the dielectric nature, specific surface area, and acid-base properties of the support influence the performance during the DRM reaction. Typical results indicate that the best activity and syngas yield are achieved with 15Ni/Al 2 O 3 under plasma conditions, possibly due to the high dielectric constant and surface area of Al 2 O 3 and nanosize of Ni. In the thermal condition, the highest conversion of 73% and 68% for CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively, is achieved over 15Ni/ZSM-5 at 500 °C. Plasma-assisted thermal conditions provide the highest conversion due to the activation of reactants and their partial conversion in the plasma zone before entering into the catalytic zone. The plasma-assisted thermocatalytic conversions of CH 4 and CO 2 reach the best values of 76% and 71%, respectively, on 15Ni/ZSM-5. Under the same conditions, 68% and 65% conversion of CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively, is achieved with 15Ni/Al 2 O 3 where the selectivity for H 2 and CO is 45% and 58%, respectively. © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim