The best replacement for start button is taskbar.

The best alternatives to start button are rated as following:
★★★★★  taskbar
★★★★  desktop icons
★★  icons on desktop
★  task bar

Your alternative for start button is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about start button, one probably shouldn't forget about windows 8.

Other search terms related to start button and their ratings are:
★★★★★ windows 8
You have in mind a companion for start button and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of start button in all years. Click on graph for more.
start button
taskbar
desktop icons