The best replacement for banjo is mandolin.

The best alternatives to banjo are rated as following:
★★★★★  mandolin
★★★★★  guitar
★★★  ukulele
★★★  freakout
★★  fiddle
★  banjolele
★  computer
★  mandolin easier
★  jet burner
★  guitar easier to play
★  blichmann
★  guitar easier
★  banjitar
★  guitar easier to learn
★  conker
  ukulele easier
  bazooka
  banjos
  dj
  resonator
  6 string banjo
  fiddle easier
  acoustic guitar
  dobro
  guitar deliverance
  banjo
  learning guitar
  flat top banjo
  akai
  five string banjo
  5 string banjo
  bluegrass
  tenor banjo

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

Other search terms related to banjo and their ratings are:
★★★★★ capo
★★★★ picks
★ beginner banjo
You have in mind a companion for banjo and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of banjo in all years. Click on graph for more.
banjo
mandolin
guitar