Premake
Premake: A flexible, open-source way to generate native project files from Lua. Ranked #33 of 42 in Build Automation Software by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for generating native project files from Lua.
At a glance
- Editor score6.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forGenerating native project files from Lua
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Generates files for C, C++, and C# projects
- Exports to GNU Make, Ninja, Visual Studio, Xcode, and Codelite
- Supports filters, add-ons, deployment tasks, and one-file distribution
Where it doesn't
- Does not provide verified caching or remote execution
- Requires Lua scripts to define projects and build settings
- Focused on native project generation rather than a broader build service
Our verdict on Premake
Premake is an open-source command-line build configuration tool for software developers working with C, C++, and C# projects. It reads Lua scripts that define workspaces, projects, source files, configurations, compiler settings, libraries, and other build settings, then generates project files or build configurations. Its supported exporters include GNU Make, Ninja, Microsoft Visual Studio, Xcode, and Codelite, with support for Windows, macOS, Linux, and other POSIX environments. It is a strong fit for teams that want source-controlled project definitions and native development workflows centered on Lua.
The main strength is its breadth across native toolsets without requiring separate project definitions for each exporter. Configuration and platform filters can apply conditional settings, while 32-bit and 64-bit configurations support different build targets. Command-line actions and arguments make project generation scriptable, and add-on modules extend support to additional languages, frameworks, and toolsets. Premake also includes Lua scripting capabilities for source-tree checkout, configuration tasks, and deployment-package creation. Its standalone distribution as a single executable keeps the tool itself straightforward to place in a development workflow.
Premake is narrower than build systems that provide verified caching or remote execution. The published positioning also does not include those capabilities, so teams prioritizing distributed build acceleration should consider an alternative. Its value is highest when the central requirement is generating native project files consistently across multiple platforms and exporters. Choose Premake for Lua-defined, source-controlled native projects and custom configuration logic; look elsewhere when remote execution, caching, or a broader hosted build platform is central to the workflow.
Your product? Our editors can test Premake in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Premake pricing
Premake fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Build as code | Yes |
| Dependency locking | Not verified |
| Build caching | Not verified |
| Remote execution | Not verified |
| Artifact packaging | Not verified |
| Supported operating systems | Multi-platform |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | premake.github.io |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Premake
- BazelA powerful open-source choice for large polyglot builds and remote execution.9.4
- PantsA capable open-source choice for monorepos that need precise caching and dependency handling.9.3
- NxA capable choice for JavaScript monorepos that need affected builds and managed CI scaling.9.1
See all Premake alternatives →
Used Premake? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Premake for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Premake is listed in our Build Automation Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/premake/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/premake.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update