The best replacement for simple past is present perfect.

The best alternatives to simple past are rated as following:
★★★★★  present perfect
★★★★  past perfect
★★★★  past progressive
★★  past continuous
★★  past participle
★★  present perfect worksheet
★  simple present
★  present perfect exercises
★  past continuous exercises
  past simple
  present perfect games
  present perfect tense
  present continuous
  progressive
  continuous
  perfect tense
  present simple
  used to
  present tense

Your alternative for simple past is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about simple past, one probably shouldn't forget about wh questions.

Other search terms related to simple past and their ratings are:
★★★★★ wh questions
★★ past perfect
★ passive
You have in mind a companion for simple past and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of simple past in all years. Click on graph for more.
simple past
present perfect
past perfect