The invention relates to the field of production of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and concretely relates to a catalyst, a preparation method thereof, and an apparatus and a method for preparing 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-clobutanediol. The catalyst comprises a main active metal element, a metalloid element, a carrier and an optional coactive metal element, the main active metal element isone or more of Fe, Co and Ni, the metalloid element is B and/or P, and the coactive active metal element is one or more of Co, Ru, Pd, Rh, Ir, and Pt; and the content of the main active metal elementin the catalyst is 1-70 wt%. The catalyst, the apparatus and the preparation methods of the invention are used to realize high-efficiency conversion of ketones, improve the cis-trans isomer molar ratio of the 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol product and reduce the wearing and consumption of the catalyst.