The article discusses the pressing need for sustainable energy sources, particularly in the context of electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production. While platinum/carbon (Pt/C) has been a traditional cathode material, its high cost and scarcity pose challenges. Transition metal-based catalysts, such as nickel (Ni) and other elements like Mo and P, show promise due to their favorable electronic structures and catalytic mechanisms. Researchers are exploring strategies to reduce reliance on precious metals like Pd, Pt, and Ir, focusing on abundant transition metals and their compounds for efficient hydrogen evolution. Transition metal-based phosphates, especially nickel-based phosphates, have attracted significant research attention for their enhanced hydrogen evolution activity. The article also highlights recent advancements in multifunctional electrodes, showcasing high-performance results for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, as well as energy storage applications. Studies on Ni-based catalysts, like Ni3N, and their morphology and electronic structure modulation further emphasize the importance of material design in enhancing performance. Overall, the research presented underscores the potential of transition metal-based phosphates as sustainable and efficient alternatives to precious metal catalysts, offering eco-friendly solutions for electrolytic hydrogen evolution and other electrocatalytic applications.