The best replacement for telnet is ssh.

The best alternatives to telnet are rated as following:
★★★★★  ssh
★★★★  ftp
★★  rlogin
★★  netcat
★★  ping
★★  putty
★★  tcp
★  hyperterminal
★  remote login
★  rsh
★  snmp
★  ssh cisco
  curl
  remote log in
  linux shell
  tracert
  tn3270

Your alternative for telnet is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about telnet, one probably shouldn't forget about port.

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



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of telnet in all years. Click on graph for more.
telnet
ssh
ftp