Compare software

Lua vs Luau: catalog facts
Lua	Luau
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source under the MIT licence.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Small interpreter that is easy to embed in other programs Simple language that is quick to learn	Optional gradual typing with strong type inference Fast interpreter with an optional JIT on x64 and arm64
Small standard library compared with general-purpose languages The official site distributes source code rather than ready-made installers	Not fully interchangeable with standard Lua code and libraries Mainly useful when embedded in a host application
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: MIT	License: MIT
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.