What is the best alternative to helium?

I'm curious, what exactly are the advantages of seeking out an alternative to helium? Is there a pressing need for a substitute, or is this more of an exploration of potential options? And if so, what criteria are we using to evaluate the "best" alternative? Is it based on cost, availability, environmental impact, or a combination of factors? Furthermore, are there any specific alternatives that have emerged as strong contenders? Have any of them been tested and proven to be effective in the applications where helium is traditionally used? And how do they compare to helium in terms of performance and reliability? I'm eager to learn more about the potential alternatives to helium and understand why they may be a better choice for certain applications.