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Lua.sh
AGPL-3.0Lua.sh is a self-hosted alternative to Bitly and TinyURL that combines branded short links with permanent, unmetered click analytics and an MCP server.
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Overview
Lua.sh is an open-source URL shortener and link analytics platform built with Laravel and Vue 3. It turns short links into telemetry endpoints that record geographic, device, and referrer data without expiring historic events. All capabilities are exposed via a REST API and a Model Context Protocol server, enabling automated link generation across developer toolchains.
Why Lua.sh instead of Bitly
Bitly structures programmatic access around monthly tiers, enforcing strict rate limits on entry plans and charging for volume API usage. Lua.sh exposes its entire operational surface over a bearer-token REST API with no volume fees. Alongside standard HTTP endpoints, an integrated Model Context Protocol (MCP) server allows AI assistants to shorten links, assign campaign tags, and inspect click data directly from chat-driven workflows.
Data ownership and domain setup mark another key distinction. Bitly retains click records on third-party servers under rolling retention windows that drop older analytics. Lua.sh routes branded domains through standard CNAME records into isolated workspaces, letting teams add custom domains without per-seat fees. Self-hosting on MySQL or PostgreSQL keeps telemetry inside private infrastructure. In return, operators manage their own PHP runtime and SSL certificates rather than relying on managed edge routing.
What it does well
- REST API and MCP connectivity: Delivers complete parity between the web dashboard and programmatic endpoints, enabling automated link creation in deployment pipelines and AI workflows.
- Multi-domain workspaces: Allows agencies to configure separate branded domains and campaign tags for distinct client accounts without per-domain fees.
- Permanent clickstream analytics: Preserves referrers, geolocations, devices, and UTM parameters indefinitely in a self-hosted database, eliminating data loss from rolling retention windows.
- Separated QR scan metrics: Generates QR codes for every link and measures physical scans separately from web clicks in the reporting dashboard.
- Device-level conditional routing: Supports link expiration schedules, access passwords, and separate destination URLs for iOS and Android visitors at the redirect layer.
- Self-hosted infrastructure custody: Runs on standard PHP and MySQL or PostgreSQL stacks, giving operations leads full control over click logs and network boundaries.
