<p>Alginate, a natural polysaccharide, has garnered significant attention in biomedical and industrial applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to form hydrogels under mild conditions. These hydrogels exhibit high water content, tunable mechanical properties, and structural adaptability, making them ideal candidates for various applications, including wound dressings, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, biosensors, and food packaging. In antimicrobial therapies, alginate-based hydrogels have been extensively explored. Their inherent properties, combined with the incorporation of antimicrobial agents such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), antimicrobial peptides, and essential oils, enhance their efficacy against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. These hydrogels not only inhibit microbial growth but also disrupt established biofilms, which are often resistant to conventional treatments. Despite these advantages, a comprehensive and up-to-date review of recent progress is needed to better understand and summarize developments in this field. This review aims to provide an overview of advancements in alginate-based hydrogels from 2015 to 2025, focusing on their antimicrobial properties and applications. It also discusses the application of hydrogels across various fields, highlighting their potential to address current challenges in infection management and prevention.</p>