The below substitutes are a close replacement in terms of taste and consistency, meaning you can use the exact same amount of these ingredients as you would sour cream in your cheesecake recipe – no confusing conversion rates to work out!
The best ways to substitute for sour cream in a cheesecake include crème fraiche, Greek yogurt, heavy cream and DIY sour cream.
Each heavy cream substitute will be discussed briefly below:

Crème Fraiche
Crème Fraiche is the closest substitute for sour cream in cheesecake. It is a creamy dairy product that also has a slight tanginess to add both the creaminess and sourness that the recipe requires. It also has the same thickness and consistency as sour cream.
Use the same amount of crème Fraiche as you would sour cream, at a conversion rate of 1:1.
Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt has a tangy flavor which is similar to the sourness of sour cream. Aim to use full fat Greek yogurt to match the thick consistency that sour cream has.
Use the same amount of Greek yogurt as you would sour cream, at a conversion rate of 1:1.
Heavy Cream

Heavy cream has a similar thickness to sour cream, though it is sweeter than sour cream and does not add as much tanginess to the recipe. For a thick, creamy consistency and a sweet cheesecake, it is still a great substitute for sour cream in cheesecake. Just make sure you don’t stir the cream too much and make it whipped!
Use the same amount of heavy cream as you would sour cream, at a conversion rate of 1:1.
DIY Sour Cream

Another great substitute you can use is your very own DIY sour cream recipe. You can make this with heavy cream, lemon juice or lime juice, and whole milk. You can learn how to make diy sour cream here.
Use the same amount of diy sour cream as you would sour cream, at a conversion rate of 1:1.
There you have it! If you are out of sour cream and looking for a suitable alternative for sour cream to make a cheesecake, these options above will help make great replacements so you can make your delicious cheesecake and enjoy it!
More substitutes for sour cream