The invention discloses a variable stiffness tension device. The variable stiffness tension device comprises a piston rod, a support seat, a small stiffness spring, a small locking nut, a sleeve, a locating plate, a large stiffness spring and a large locking nut, wherein the piston rod penetrates through one end of a cylinder barrel in a telescopic mode, the support seat penetrates through the other end of the cylinder barrel in a telescopic mode, the small stiffness spring is arranged on the outer side end surface of the cylinder barrel in a sleeving mode, the small locking nut is connected with the support seat, the sleeve is arranged on the outer side end surface of the small stiffness spring in a sleeving mode, the locating plate is fixedly arranged at the end of the sleeve in a sleeving mode, the large stiffness spring is arranged on the outer side end surface of the sleeve in a sleeving mode, and the large locking nut is connected with the locating plate. By using the variable stiffness tension device, when the borne load is smaller, the external force is transferred to the piston rod, the piston rod transfers the force to the support seat and the small stiffness spring, and the small stiffness spring plays a buffer role; when the borne load is gradually increased, the support seat makes contact with the locating plate, the locating plate transfers the load to the large stiffness spring, and the large stiffness spring and the small stiffness spring jointly bear the load.