The effect of the composite type of NiMo on the hydrotreating of fatty acids was evaluated. XRF showed atomic ratio Ni:Mo and Mo:Ni:P ∼1 and SEM- EDS confirmed the elements were well-distributed on supports, although small metal aggregates were also observed. XRD revealed the Ni3Mo3C and NiMoP formation in the NiMo carbidic-sulphidic and phosphidic-sulphidic catalysts, respectively. MoS2 formation was observed by the Raman spectra. The carbidic-sulphidic/phosphidic-sulphidic composites have the following textural properties: 219/58 m2/g (SBET), 0.094/0.20 cm3/g (Vp), and 5.4/14.2 nm (Dp), but no correlation with the catalytic behavior. XPS results evidenced the mixture carbide-sulfide or phosphide-sulfide. NiMo phosphidic-sulfidic composite has higher activity in HDO, HDCx-HDCn, and HCK than the material obtained from carbides, which was related to metal oxophilic capacity.