But what does Ethereum do better that any other alt?
Ethereum was probably the first coin to really separate itself from bitcoin, and that made all the difference for them. They had a completely different objective, and didn't really wanted to become a currency. Instead they became an ICO platform, that is good for investments in emerging "blockhain companies", and they also want to run daps.
Just like bitcoin, they also have a decent team behind them, where it's Vitalik Buterin is of course the main figure. They have their problems, just like any other crypto, including bitcoin, but they are doing well and continue quite promising.
Of course that now that bitcoin will be able to run smart contracts as well, I don't know how good they will continue. I also don't know if bitcoin having smart contracts is a good thing or not, since I would prefer that it continued it's path as a currency, but let's wait and see.