The best replacement for pdflatex is xelatex.

The best alternatives to pdflatex are rated as following:
★★★★★  xelatex
★★★★★  latex
★★★★  pdftex
★★★  lualatex
★★  dvips
★★  latexmk
★  dvipdfm

Your alternative for pdflatex is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about pdflatex, one probably shouldn't forget about eps.

Other search terms related to pdflatex and their ratings are:
★★★★★ eps
★★★★ pstricks
★★ psfrag
★★ bibtex
★★ auctex
★★ eps figures
You have in mind a companion for pdflatex and it is not yet here? Propose!



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