lua.sh review
A flexible open-source shortener with analytics, QR tracking, APIs, and self-hosting.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
lua.sh is an open-source URL-shortening platform for individuals, developers, marketing teams, and organizations. It creates short links with custom slugs and supports branded domains, click analytics, QR codes, link expiry, password protection, tags, and team workspaces. Its analytics cover geography, device, browser, referrer, and UTM parameters. The hosted service is available on the web, while API access and self-hosting support developer and infrastructure use cases.
Pricing starts with a permanent Free plan. It includes every analytics field, keeps history as long as the link exists, and provides QR codes, link expiry, and password protection on every link. The monthly Starter plan costs $19 and adds custom domains, per-platform destinations for iOS and Android, REST API access, and MCP server access. Pro costs $49 per month, Growth costs $149 per month, and Scale costs $349 per month; the published highlights for these tiers include the same listed paid features. The pricing page also describes yearly billing as ten months charged up front.
The product suits teams that need more than basic redirects, particularly when QR scan tracking, platform-specific destinations, or detailed attribution matter. Custom domains, tags, workspaces, APIs, and self-hosting give it a wide operating range across marketing and developer workflows. The Free plan covers core analytics and link controls, but custom domains and platform destinations require a paid tier. Bulk shortening is not included, so teams that need high-volume link creation should consider an alternative built around bulk workflows. lua.sh is a suitable choice for open-source teams wanting hosted or self-hosted links with analytics; it is less suitable for organizations whose primary requirement is bulk shortening.
lua.sh pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free plan includes analytics fields, QR codes, expiry, and password protection
- Supports custom domains, platform destinations, tags, and team workspaces
- Offers REST API, MCP access, and self-hosting options
- Where it doesn't
- Custom domains begin with the $19-per-month Starter plan
- Bulk shortening is not included
- Paid tiers rise to $349 per month at Scale
lua.sh fact sheet, pricing and score →
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