The best replacement for mods is rockers.

The best alternatives to mods are rated as following:
★★★★★  rockers
★★★★  rockers chicago
★  rockers dallas
★  dublin core
★  punks
★  bigwigs
  rockers pittsburgh
  addons
  clones
  c&c generals zero hour
  hippies
  ab mods
  rods
  big wigs
  rocker

Your alternative for mods is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about mods, one probably shouldn't forget about forge 1.7.2.

Other search terms related to mods and their ratings are:
★★★★★ forge 1.7.2
★★★★★ bods
★★★★ modloader minecraft
★★★ skyre
★★★ mobs
★ hl2
★ minecraft forge
★ sepsis
★ magic launcher
You have in mind a companion for mods and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of mods in all years. Click on graph for more.
mods
rockers
rockers chicago