<p>Alkaline hybrid cements have emerged as a promising solution to reduce the environmental impact of traditional cement production. This study evaluates the setting time, compressive strength, microstructure, and applications of hybrid cements composed of metakaolin, Portland cement, and sodium metasilicate pentahydrate. The activator was added in both liquid and solid forms and characterized using advanced techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the state of the activator had minimal influence on the setting time, compressive strength, and microstructure of pastes. Additionally, mortars achieved compressive strengths suitable for general masonry purposes, demonstrating the potential of these hybrid cements as sustainable materials with a reduced environmental impact.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>