Since the first natural carbazole alkaloid, murrayanine, was isolated from Mwraya Spreng, carbazole alkaloid derivatives have been widely concerned for their anti-tumor, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activities. In recent decades, a growing body of data suggest that carbazole alkaloids and their derivatives have different biological activities. This is the first comprehensive description of the antifungal and antibacterial activities of carbazole alkaloids in the past decade (2012-2022), including natural and partially synthesized carbazole alkaloids in the past decade. Finally, the challenges and problems faced by this kind of alkaloids are summarized. This paper will be helpful for further exploration of this kind of alkaloids.