<p>The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for sustainable energy technologies, driving the search for efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts. This review comprehensively compares metal nitrides and metal carbides as alternative HER catalysts to noble metals. We analyze the fundamental aspects of HER, the properties of various metal nitrides and carbides, and their electrocatalytic performance based on a wide array of experimental data. Key parameters such as Tafel slopes, overpotentials, electrolyte effects, and synthesis methods were examined. While both material classes demonstrate promise, our analysis indicates that metal carbides, particularly those with platinum or nickel promoters and some modified vanadium carbides, often exhibit lower overpotentials and slightly faster HER kinetics than metal nitrides. Both material types can have excellent performance values for the HER when modified with promoters. The performance of metal nitrides and metal carbides highly depends on the specific composition, morphology, synthesis method, and testing conditions. This review identifies the opportunities and challenges in HER's use of metal nitrides and carbides. It highlights the need for rational catalyst design, more comprehensive stability studies, and standardized testing protocols to facilitate their implementation in sustainable hydrogen production.</p>