Lua AlternativesProgramming Languages and other similar apps like Lua

Lua is described as 'Powerful, fast, lightweight, embeddable scripting language' and is a very popular programming language in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Lua for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, BSD and Web-based apps. The best Lua alternative is Python, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Lua are JavaScript, C (programming language), PHP and C#.

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Alternatives list

  1. Python icon

    Python

     1407 likes
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    Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. It provides an extraordinary combination of clarity and versatility, and is free and comprehensively ported.

    94 Python alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    Python screenshot 1
     
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    6

    • Almost everyone thinks Python is a great Lua alternative.

    • Python is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Lua.

    • Python is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Lua.

    • Python is Free and Open SourceLua is also Free and Open Source
  2. JavaScript icon

    JavaScript

     629 likes
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    JavaScript (sometimes shortened to JS) is a lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions, most known as the scripting language for Web pages, but also used in many non-browser environments.

    60 JavaScript alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AROS
    • Haiku
    JavaScript screenshot 1
     

    • JavaScript is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to Lua.

    • JavaScript is Free and Open SourceLua is also Free and Open Source
  4. C (programming language) icon

    C (programming language)

     328 likes
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    C is a general-purpose programming language. It was created in the 1970s by Dennis Ritchie and remains very widely used and influential. By design, C's features cleanly reflect the capabilities of the targeted CPUs.

    61 C (programming language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    C (programming language) screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about C (programming language) as an Alternative to Lua
    superluminar
    Negative
    4

    C works well for entirely different use cases than Lua.

    IamPyu
    Negative
    1

    Lua's purpose as an extension language is to be embedded into C therefore not being an alternative to C.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    Lua can be embedded in C and Lua is as fast as C

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Lua Icon
    C (programming language) icon

    • Some users think C (programming language) is a great Lua alternative, some don't.

    • C (programming language) is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Lua.

    • C (programming language) is Free and Open SourceLua is also Free and Open Source
  5. PHP icon

    PHP

     469 likes
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    Open-source scripting language executed on the server, PHP embeds into HTML, fostering dynamic web development. Influenced by C, Java, and Perl, it supports database integration, offers extensive libraries, and remains easy for beginners while robust for seasoned developers.

    43 PHP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PHP
    PHP screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about PHP as an Alternative to Lua
    superluminar
    Negative
    6

    PHP is mainly used for web applications, which is not the area where Lua shines.

    Lua Icon
    PHP icon
    • PHP is Free and Open SourceLua is also Free and Open Source
  6. C# icon

    C#

     230 likes
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    C# is a multi-paradigm programming language encompassing strong typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented (class-based), and component-oriented programming disciplines.

    79 C# alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    C# screenshot 1
     
  7. Ruby icon

    Ruby

     270 likes
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    Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was initially developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto.

    79 Ruby alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    Ruby screenshot 1
     
  9. Go (Programming Language) icon

    Go (Programming Language)

     152 likes
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    Open-source programming language by Google, offering C-style syntax and automatic memory management. Features built-in concurrency and vast libraries, ideal for cloud services, web, and CLI development, supporting DevOps with fast builds and an expansive ecosystem.

    68 Go (Programming Language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    Go (Programming Language) screenshot 1
     
  10. Perl icon

    Perl

     140 likes
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    Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language with over 22 years of development.

    79 Perl alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
     
  12. Dart icon

    Dart

     80 likes
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    Dart (originally called Dash) is a Web programming language developed by Google. It was unveiled at the GOTO conference in Aarhus, 2011 October 10-12. The goal of Dart is "ultimately to replace JavaScript as the lingua franca of web development on the open web platform.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Dart screenshot 1
     
  13. Kotlin icon

    Kotlin

     39 likes
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    Kotlin is a cross-platform, statically typed, general-purpose programming language with type inference. Kotlin is designed to interoperate fully with Java, and the JVM version of its standard library depends on the Java Class Library, but type inference allows its syntax to be...

    51 Kotlin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Kotlin screenshot 1
     
12 of 84 Lua alternatives