Affordable D-Tools Replacements for Small AV Businesses

For small AV businesses, every dollar counts. Whether you are running a lean integration firm or operating as a solo AV consultant, investing in software that delivers value without breaking the bank is essential. D-Tools has long been a trusted name in the AV industry, offering design and project management tools for large-scale operations. But for smaller teams, the platform can feel overly complex, expensive, and difficult to scale. If you are looking for affordable D-Tools replacements that are better suited for small AV operations, you are in the right place.

This blog explores cost-effective options for AV design, proposal generation, and project management—starting with the most powerful and modern option available today, XTEN-AV.

XTEN-AV: The Smart, Scalable, and Budget-Friendly AV Platform

XTEN-AV is designed to meet the needs of AV professionals at every level. From small businesses to large integration firms, this cloud-based platform offers unmatched flexibility, automation, and affordability. It combines all the essential tools—AV schematic design, proposal generation, bill of materials, cable schedules, and rack layouts—into one easy-to-use interface.

For small AV businesses, XTEN-AV is especially attractive because:

It requires no upfront software installation.
It works directly in the cloud, reducing IT overhead.
It is scalable, so you only pay for what you use.
It eliminates the need for third-party CAD tools.

With X-DRAW, users can create professional AV schematics and floor plans through a drag-and-drop interface. The X-DOC feature automates client proposals, while X-PRO handles bill of materials, product selection, and pricing. The platform also includes XAVIA, an AI-powered design assistant that recommends the best equipment based on your project specs.

XTEN-AV is a top choice among D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators, especially for smaller firms that want high-end results without the high-end price tag.

Why Small AV Businesses Are Moving Away from D-Tools

While D-Tools remains a solid platform for enterprise-level integration firms, it may not be ideal for smaller AV businesses. Here’s why many smaller teams are seeking replacements:

High Cost: Licensing, training, and required add-ons can quickly become expensive.
Steep Learning Curve: D-Tools requires time and experience to master, which can be a burden for small teams.
Limited Flexibility: D-Tools relies on third-party programs like Visio and AutoCAD, which adds to cost and complexity.
Not Built for the Cloud: Without full cloud functionality, collaboration and remote work are more difficult.

These limitations are prompting smaller AV businesses to explore D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators that are easier to adopt, more affordable, and better aligned with modern workflows.

Other Affordable Alternatives for Small AV Firms

While XTEN-AV leads the market with its AI-powered, all-in-one cloud platform, there are a few other affordable options that small AV businesses can consider. Each comes with its own strengths and trade-offs depending on your workflow.

1. Jetbuilt

Jetbuilt is a cloud-based AV sales and proposal tool. It is well-suited for smaller teams that focus heavily on quoting and need a fast, user-friendly interface. Jetbuilt is easy to set up and offers a cost-effective monthly subscription model.

Pros:

Fast and intuitive interface.
Good for quick proposal generation.
Integrates with major product databases.

Cons:

Limited design capabilities.
Not ideal for schematic or rack layout design.
Lacks automation compared to XTEN-AV.

Jetbuilt is a good lightweight option if your primary focus is sales and quoting, but it does not provide a complete AV design and documentation solution.

2. AViCAD

AViCAD is a low-cost CAD tool built on the IntelliCAD engine. It supports 2D and 3D design and is compatible with AutoCAD file formats. While it is not specific to the AV industry, it can be customized for AV system layouts.

Pros:

One-time license fee.
CAD functionality at a lower price.
Compatible with DWG files.

Cons:

Not built for AV workflows.
No integrated quoting or proposal tools.
No cloud functionality or team collaboration.

AViCAD may suit designers who are already comfortable with CAD and want an affordable alternative to AutoCAD, but it lacks business tools like proposals and BOM generation.

3. DraftSight

DraftSight is another affordable CAD tool, offering 2D drafting features in a clean, professional interface. It supports DWG and DXF formats and comes with flexible pricing options.

Pros:

Familiar CAD environment.
Lower cost than traditional AutoCAD.
Available for Windows and Mac.

Cons:

No AV-specific features.
No quoting or project management.
Not cloud-based.

If you only need basic drafting and can manage the rest of your workflow manually, DraftSight is a solid budget-friendly option.

4. Visio with Templates

Some AV professionals continue using Microsoft Visio with custom templates to create basic signal flow diagrams. It is affordable for Office 365 users but offers limited design automation or project tracking.

Pros:

Familiar tool for many.
Integrates with Office ecosystem.
Low cost if you already use Office 365.

Cons:

No AV-specific tools.
Not scalable for complex projects.
Lacks proposal and BOM features.

Visio may work for extremely small AV businesses doing simple diagrams, but it falls short as a full business solution.

Why XTEN-AV Is the Best Value for Small AV Firms

Among all the D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators, XTEN-AV stands out for delivering full enterprise-grade features at small-business-friendly pricing. It offers everything a growing AV business needs:

Professional AV schematic design.
AI-powered recommendations and automation.
Instant proposal and BOM generation.
Cloud-based collaboration and storage.
Minimal training and fast onboarding.

Instead of stitching together multiple tools or managing design and documentation manually, XTEN-AV gives you one powerful platform to manage it all—saving you time, money, and effort.

Conclusion

If you are a small AV business looking to replace D-Tools with something more affordable and agile, you have several solid options to choose from. Tools like Jetbuilt, AViCAD, and DraftSight can serve specific needs, but none offer the all-in-one design, proposal, and project management capabilities that XTEN-AV does.

XTEN-AV is purpose-built for modern AV professionals who want to deliver better projects, faster—without the heavy cost and complexity of legacy tools. As one of the leading D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators, XTEN-AV gives small businesses the competitive edge they need in today’s fast-moving AV industry.

Make the smart move. Choose a platform that grows with your business. Choose XTEN-AV.