This study presents a novel electrochemical comparison of WC–Co and Cr3C2 coatings on steel substrates, addressing a critical gap in benchmarking corrosion resistance under controlled alkaline conditions. In 3.5% NaCl, potentiodynamic polarization revealed corrosion rates of 0.065668 mm/year for uncoated steel, 0.023323 mm/year for WC–Co, and a significantly lower 0.007667 mm/year for Cr3C2. The enhanced performance of Cr3C2 is linked to its superior passivation and microstructural stability. These findings establish a unified framework for evaluating coating efficacy in aggressive environments and offer actionable guidance for material selection in corrosion-critical sectors such as offshore, mining, and chemical processing.