lua.sh

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

What lua.sh is

lua.sh shortens links on a user’s own domain and reports detailed click information. Analytics cover country, region, city, device, browser, operating system, referrer, and UTM parameters across any date range, with unlimited retention listed. Every link gets a QR code, and QR scans are counted separately from clicks. Links can expire, require passwords, or send iOS and Android visitors to different destinations. Tags organize links, and team workspaces can use separate domains. The REST API exposes every action available in the interface, while an MCP server lets assistants manage links and read analytics. Lua is open source and self-hostable on PostgreSQL or MySQL; self-hosting requires handling upgrades, backups, infrastructure, and redirect troubleshooting. It offers web, API, and self-hosted access, plus encrypted traffic. The Free plan costs nothing forever, with no card required, and allows 5 links and 100 click events per month. Paid plans are Starter at $19 a month, Pro at 49.00 USD, Growth at 149.00 USD, and Scale at 349.00 USD.

Who it suits

It suits individuals and teams needing branded short links, detailed analytics, QR tracking, and API control. Developers or organizations able to operate infrastructure can also self-host it.

What it does well

Custom domains supported
Unlimited analytics retention
QR scans tracked separately
REST API and MCP server
Open-source self-hosting option

What to know first

Free tier limited to five links
Self-hosting requires infrastructure work
Paid plans billed monthly

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Forever, no card required · 5 links · 100 click events/mo · shared domain · 1 tag · 1 team member	Free
Starter	Billed monthly, cancel anytime · 1,000 links · 50,000 click events/mo · 10 custom domains · 25 tags · 2 team members	$19 a month
Pro	Billed monthly, cancel anytime · 5,000 links · 150,000 click events/mo · 50 custom domains · 100 tags · 5 team members	$49 a month
Growth	Billed monthly, cancel anytime · 20,000 links · 500,000 click events/mo · 200 custom domains · 400 tags · 10 team members	$149 a month
Scale	Billed monthly, cancel anytime · 100,000 links · 2,000,000 click events/mo · 500 custom domains · 1,000 tags · 20 team members	$349 a month

As lua.sh lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

lua.sh combines branded link shortening with broad analytics, QR tracking, workspaces, and automation interfaces. Its free tier is limited, while higher plans increase links, events, domains, tags, and seats.

Facts from lua.sh's own pages

Analytics: The product reports country, region, city, device, browser, operating system, referrer, and UTM parameters over any date range. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Analytics retention: unlimited · lua.sh, 20 Sept 2026
API access: Yes · lua.sh, 20 Sept 2026
API and agent interface: The REST API covers every action available in the screens, and an MCP server lets assistants manage links and read analytics. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Custom domains: A custom domain can be connected with a CNAME and a certificate that the site says issues in minutes; links also work on the shared domain. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Data use: The privacy policy says click events are retained while the link and workspace exist, and that Lua does not sell data or share it for advertising. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · lua.sh, 20 Sept 2026
Link controls: Links can have expiry dates, password protection, and separate iOS and Android destinations. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy and security: The privacy policy says traffic is encrypted in transit, passwords are hashed, API tokens are stored hashed and shown once, and production data access is limited to people who need it. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
QR codes: Every link has a QR code, and QR scans are counted separately from clicks. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Self-hosting: Lua is open source and self-hostable, and the developer page says it runs on PostgreSQL or MySQL. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Self-hosting responsibility: Self-hosting requires operating infrastructure, including upgrades, backups, and troubleshooting redirects. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Paid from: 19 · lua.sh, 20 Sept 2026
Support contact: The privacy policy lists [email protected] for privacy questions and data requests. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Team seats: 2 · lua.sh, 20 Sept 2026
What it does: Lua shortens links on a user’s own domain and reports click details such as country, device, referrer, and campaign. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026
Workspaces: Users can group links with tags and provide teams separate workspaces with their own domains. · lua.sh, 11 Oct 2026

Where lua.sh stands on Freedom251

URL shorteners#84 of 156