If lowest upfront price is genuinely your top priority, this page sticks to exactly that question — not which option is the best long-term value, which is a different question covered in our best pool type guide. Here’s what actually costs the least to install, what drives those prices down, and how far a tight budget can realistically stretch.
The Cheapest Pool Types, Ranked by Price
| Pool Type | Typical Installed Cost | Notes |
| Above-ground | $2,500 – $15,000 | The cheapest option by a wide margin; most common sizes land $4,000–$11,500 |
| Semi-inground | $20,000 – $50,000 | Partial excavation; budget tier starts around $20,000 |
| Plunge pool | $20,000 – $45,000 | Budget-tier compact builds start around $20,000 |
| Swim spa | $20,000 – $55,000 all-in | Unit plus pad and electrical |
| Vinyl liner inground | $50,000 – $90,000 | The cheapest true inground option |
Fibreglass, concrete, and custom builds don’t appear here because none of them realistically compete on lowest price — they start well above $65,000. If you want the cheapest pool, full stop, the real choice is between above-ground and one of the budget mid-tier options above.
What Makes the Cheapest Options Cheap
Understanding exactly what drives the lowest prices helps you know where you can cut further, and where you can’t:
- No excavation: this is the single biggest cost factor that above-ground pools eliminate entirely. Excavation, soil removal, and site grading are a major share of any inground project’s cost.
- No permanent structure: above-ground and swim spas use a manufactured frame or shell that doesn’t require rebar, gunite, or a poured foundation.
- Smaller footprint: less material, less excavation volume, and a smaller pump/filter system, all else equal.
- Round shape over oval or rectangular: round pools need the least structural bracing, which keeps both the kit and the installation labour cheaper than oval or rectangular versions of the same material.
- DIY-friendly installation: smaller above-ground pools can be self-installed, eliminating the labour cost entirely — see the DIY section in our above-ground cost guide for the trade-offs.
- Basic equipment only: no heater, no automation, no premium finish — just a standard pump and filter sized to the pool.
- Minimal or no decking: decking is priced separately from the pool in every category, so skipping it (at least initially) keeps the headline number as low as possible.
How Low Can You Realistically Go?
- Absolute floor (DIY, smallest above-ground): as low as $1,500–$2,500 for just the kit if you install it yourself, skipping labour entirely.
- Professional install floor: roughly $2,500–$4,500 for the smallest professionally installed above-ground sizes.
- True inground floor: roughly $50,000, and this is where the budget math changes sharply. The jump from “under $15,000” to “starting at $50,000” isn’t gradual — there’s no realistic way to get a permanent inground pool in the GTA below this range, regardless of how small or basic you go. Permits, mobilization, and equipment minimums apply at any size — see Cost to Install a Small Pool for why shrinking an inground pool doesn’t shrink the price proportionally.
If your budget is firmly under $50,000, above-ground, semi-inground, plunge pools, and swim spas are the realistic category — not a smaller version of an inground pool.
What You Give Up at the Bottom of the Market
Briefly, since this is covered in more depth elsewhere: the cheapest options generally come with a shorter structural lifespan, less resale credit, and more limited size and shape choice than inground pools. That’s not necessarily a bad trade — it depends entirely on what you’re optimizing for. If you want the fuller picture on long-term value rather than just lowest price, see Best Pool Type to Install.
Ways to Lower Cost Within Any Type You Choose
- Choose round over oval or rectangular, whether you’re looking at above-ground or vinyl — it’s the cheapest shape at every size.
- Skip the heater initially. It’s almost always priced separately and can be added in a later season.
- Hold off on decking, or start with a minimal version, and upgrade once the core budget has settled.
- Get multiple quotes. Installation labour varies more between contractors than most people expect — this is one of the biggest levers you actually control.
- Choose vinyl over fibreglass or concrete if you’ve decided inground is non-negotiable — it’s the lowest-cost true inground material.
- Stick to a standard size rather than custom dimensions. Custom shapes cost more to build even at the same square footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest type of pool to install?
An above-ground pool, typically $2,500–$15,000 installed — dramatically cheaper than any inground option because it requires no excavation or permanent structure.
How low can pool installation cost realistically go?
As low as $1,500–$2,500 for a small, self-installed above-ground kit. Professionally installed, the floor is closer to $2,500–$4,500 for the smallest sizes.
What’s the cheapest inground pool option?
Vinyl liner, typically starting around $50,000 in the GTA — the lowest-cost option among true inground materials.
Can I install a pool myself to save money?
Yes, for smaller above-ground pools — this eliminates installation labour cost entirely, though it shifts the levelling and setup risk onto you. It’s not a realistic option for inground pools.
Is a cheap pool worth it?
That depends on what you’re optimizing for. If lowest upfront cost is genuinely your priority, the options on this page deliver that. If you’re weighing cost against years of use and long-term value, see our best pool type guide for that fuller comparison.
Get a Quote at Your Budget Level
The cheapest options on this page are real, but the right fit still depends on your yard and what you actually want from the pool.
Contact Easy Pools at (647) 449-9512 for a free, no-obligation quote at any budget level.