The best replacement for indexes is indices.

The best alternatives to indexes are rated as following:
★★★★★  indices
★★★  scales
★  statistics
★  b-tree indexes
★  update statistics
  rebuild indexes
  local
  reorganize
  unique constraints
  rebuild
  local indexes

Your alternative for indexes is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about indexes, one probably shouldn't forget about included columns.

Other search terms related to indexes and their ratings are:
★★★★★ included columns
★ validation
You have in mind a companion for indexes and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of indexes in all years. Click on graph for more.
indexes
indices
scales