Get some high-grade cayenne powder here.

“Regular” paprika, also called American, sweet, basic, or Domestic Paprika, is what’s found in most grocery stores. It is gentle and earthy with an unassertive flavor. Regular paprika is never smoked. It makes a terrific backdrop for more strongly-flavored ingredients, so it’s often used as a flavor base in dry rubs or blends. It is often favored for its ability to deliver a bold, red color. 

So the question of what is a good paprika substitute comes down to what dish you're preparing and how much paprika that dish calls for. 

There are also specialty chili powders that are made from exotic chili peppers, such as ghost peppers or habanero peppers. These powders are extremely hot and should be used sparingly to avoid overwhelming the dish with heat. Ghost pepper chili powder, also known as bhut jolokia, is one of the hottest chili powders in the world and is not recommended for the faint of heart.

Red paprika has a sweeter and milder flavor. It may be smoked, which will give it a different flavor altogether. Additionally, Hungarian sweet paprika is milder than Hungarian hot paprika. The hot variety can be hotter than jalapeno. Spanish paprika comes in mild, medium and hot variants.

Those who love Korean cuisine probably already know this next backup. Gochugaru powder is better known in the US as ground Korean chili powder. This famous Asian condiment is loved for its sweet and spicy taste with a subtle smoky note, making it a nice paprika alternative. It’s also prized for its color which adds a bright red hue to dishes like tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cake) and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).