A method for producing a metal-ceramic composite coating with increased hardness on a substrate includes adding a sol of a ceramic phase to the plating solution or electrolyte. The sol may be added prior to and/or during the plating or coating and at a rate of sol addition controlled to be sufficiently low that nanoparticles of the ceramic phase form directly onto or at the substrate and/or that the metal-ceramic coating forms on the substrate with a predominantly crystalline structure and/or to substantially avoid formation of nanoparticles of the ceramic phase, and/or agglomeration of particles of the ceramic phase, in the plating solution or electrolyte. The ceramic phase may be a single or mixed oxide, carbide, nitride, silicate, boride of Ti, W, Si, Zr, Al, Y, Cr, Fe, Pb, Co, or a rare earth element. The coating, other than the ceramic phase may comprise Ni, Ni—P, Ni—W—P, Ni—Cu—P, Ni—B, Cu, Ag, Au, Pd.