The best replacement for classic shell is pokki.

The best alternatives to classic shell are rated as following:
★★★★★  pokki
★★★★  startisback
★★★★  8.1
★★★★  start menu 8
★★★  iobit
★★★  start8
★★★  startw8
★★★  classic start
★★  retroui
★★  vistart
★★  start menu x
★  power8
★  windows 8.1
★  ex7forw8
  start 8

Your alternative for classic shell is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about classic shell, one probably shouldn't forget about 8.1.

Other search terms related to classic shell and their ratings are:
★★★★★ 8.1
You have in mind a companion for classic shell and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of classic shell in all years. Click on graph for more.
classic shell
pokki
startisback