When it comes to Rachel, the big debate among fans seems to be if she should have ended up with Ross or Joey - but those weren't her only options! Yes, she did eventually get off the plane and end up with Ross, the man she knew for years, her on-again-off-again, and the father of her child. But was there a better option over the course of the show?

RELATED: Friends: Rachel's 5 Best Outfits (& 5 Worst)

Tag, for example. Tag Jones was originally hired as her assistant at work (mostly because he was gorgeous), but the two actually fell for each other and had a real relationship for a while. It was a shame when Rachel decided he wasn't mature enough for her, and they could have actually made a real go of things... and here's why!

Tag: He's Far More Attractive

Rachel interviews Tag for the assitant position

This one may be superficial, but being attracted to a partner matters! And Rachel was so attracted to Tag that she hired him despite him having zero experience in the industry. Admittedly, that is problematic for its own reasons, but it's clear that Rachel's attraction to Ross was far less immediate (she ignored him for years) and far less intense (there is even an entire episode devoted to the fact that their... private life as a couple... was not as passionate as hers with previous men). Sure, this could fade, but Tag wins purely on the appearance front.

Ross: Long History

Attractiveness aside, there's no denying that Ross and Rachel's history is important. The two have known each other since they were in school, and he has always been there for her (even if their relationship has been far from perfect). He knew her when she left her fiance at the altar, he saw her grow and change in New York, and he's loved her through it all.

Tag: Shared Interest In Fashion

Tag may not have originally applied for the job because of a passion for the fashion industry, but he clearly has a decent dress sense and understands the industry in a way that Ross doesn't. Who can forget Ross falling asleep at a fashion lecture with Rachel?

RELATED: 10 Worst Things About The Final Season Of Friends

Somehow, we get the impression that Tag was connected enough to the industry that that wouldn't happen - and really, Ross and Rachel don't exactly have much in common except for Monica.

Ross: He Is A More Appropriate Age

Let's not forget that Rachel and Tag actually broke up because she decided that he was too young for her, and not ready for the kind of commitment that she wanted. Which is fair - Rachel knew that she wanted marriage and kids, and Tag just wasn't ready for that. Ross, meanwhile, had already been married (more than once) and had a child, Ben. In fact, Ross originally scared Rachel off because he wanted kids and a house in the suburbs before her! So it makes sense that these two ended up together, because they wanted the same things out of life.

Tag: They Have Fun Together

Rachel and Tag on her birthday

Of course, wanting marriage and kids isn't everything (and Rachel certainly didn't get it the way that she intended), and there's little doubt that she and Tag had a whole lot of fun together. From their failed (but hilarious) performance review to fooling around in the office, it seemed like their relationship was all about the fun - while Rachel and Ross were all about the fighting, the cheating, and the serious talks. Rachel may actually have enjoyed herself more if she just relaxed and stayed with Tag.

Ross: Fits In Better With The Group

Although no one particularly disliked Tag (and it can be argued that some people in the group have definitely had their issues with Ross), for a group of friends this co-dependent, it's clear that Ross is the better fit. He might have his fights, but there is no way that the gang would dislike him enough to actually cut him out - which could easily happen with some of the other romantic partners that have come into the gang in the past.

Tag: He's Much More Respectful To Her

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel with Tag in Friends

Love him or hate him, there's no doubt that Ross isn't always very respectful to Rachel. He knew her as a spoiled kid, and then a spoiled young woman when she was first trying to make it on her own, and it shows.

RELATED: Friends: The 10 Most Shameless Things Joey Has Ever Done

He often seems to consider her stupid, in their early days together he puts 'just a waitress' on his awful list, he makes fun of her all the time... but Tag thinks that Rachel is incredible, and it shows. He is far more respectful and kind, and never yells at her (or cheats on her).

Ross: They Have A Child Together

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel, David Schwimmer as Ross and baby Emma in Friends

This is a big one, although it's far from a dealbreaker. By the end of the series, Ross and Rachel do have a child together, and they actually co-parent pretty well, even when they aren't in a relationship. Being able to co-parent and sharing the responsibility of having a child is huge - and a good reason to at least see if things could work. Meanwhile, Tag freaked out when he discovered that Rachel was pregnant. Not the best sign for the partner of a woman with a baby.

Tag: More Emotionally Mature

Friends Tag

Although Rachel left Tag because he wasn't 'mature', in many ways he is far more emotionally mature than Ross. Sure, he doesn't want kids just yet, but he's kind and respectful (as already mentioned), he isn't jealous (especially of Ross, who is an ex and close friend), he makes an effort with her, her work, and her friends, and he actually helps her at work (unlike Ross, who kept getting in the way). Cut out the kids part, and Tag is obviously the more mature one.

Ross: He's Her Lobster

Ross and Rachel reunite in Friends series finale

Well, there's only so much we can say about this one. At the end of the day, Ross is Rachel's lobster. Sometimes, there's no way to logic out who is the 'better' partner, it all comes down to who really wants to be together. Rachel probably wouldn't have got off the plane for Tag, and Tag would never have stepped up as a parent the way Ross did for Emma. Sometimes, especially in sitcoms, two people are just meant to be together.

NEXT: 5 Reasons Monica Should Have Been With Richard (& 5 Why Chandler Was The Right Choice)