There have always been alternatives depending on material, AC or DC, welder type (inverter ot transformer), start method (HF or scratch), wave form etc.
Thoriated electrodes always kept a really good point with solid low amp HF starts, and are still widely available...but it is mildly radioactive, with hazardous dust and vapour produced while sharpening and welding if not done very carefully...and spent electrodes should not be disposed of as normal waste.
So options include pure tungsten, and alloys with cerium oxide, lanthanum oxide, multi-blends etc, but most welders these days use either 1.5 or 2% zirconium oxide electrodes pretty much all work, since it's a good all-rounder.
Personally, I have an HF start inverter, so use 2% Zirc for DC on steel, but prefer 1.5% Ceriated on AC for aluminium since it gives a more stable arc.
All the best,
