The best replacement for lifelink is protection.

The best alternatives to lifelink are rated as following:
★★★★★  protection
★★★★  indestructible
★★★  spirit link
★★★  fog bank
★★  protection from color
★★  prevent damage
★★  regenerate
★  hexproof
★  protection from creatures

Your alternative for lifelink is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about lifelink, one probably shouldn't forget about double strike.

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



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of lifelink in all years. Click on graph for more.
lifelink
protection
indestructible