The best replacement for h 264 is mp4.

The best alternatives to h 264 are rated as following:
★★★★★  mp4
★★★★  xvid
★★★★  divx
★★  mpeg 2
★★  mpeg 4
★★  mpeg4
★★  mjpeg
★★  mpeg
★  wmv
★  vp8
★  prores
★  avi
★  x264
★  vp6
★  mpeg2
★  d1
★  avchd
  webm
  h 265
  mov
  prores 422
  apple prores 422
  vc 1
  quicktime
  hi10p
  h 263
  ffmpeg
  wm9
  avc
  mp4 iphone
  vc1

Your alternative for h 264 is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about h 264, one probably shouldn't forget about re encoding.

Other search terms related to h 264 and their ratings are:
★★★★★ re encoding
You have in mind a companion for h 264 and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of h 264 in all years. Click on graph for more.
h 264
mp4
xvid