The best replacement for brackets is parentheses.

The best alternatives to brackets are rated as following:
★★★★★  parentheses
★★★★★  braces
★★★★  parentheses math
★★  sublime
★★  parentheses first
★★  edge code
★★  parentheses in math
★  easy brackets
★  parenthesis
★  atom
★  dreamweaver
★  parentheses ap style
★  ghost brackets
★  sublime text
★  webstorm
★  corbels
★  sublime text 3
★  sublime text 2
★  coda
★  light table
  coda 2
  commas
  parentheses inequalities
  dashes
  2012
  square brackets
  2013 tax brackets
  2011
  metal braces
  metal brackets

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

Other search terms related to brackets and their ratings are:
★★★★★ ellipses
★★★ sass
★ shelves
★ parentheses
shelf
exponents
You have in mind a companion for brackets and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of brackets in all years. Click on graph for more.
brackets
parentheses
braces