# luai5.2.1 vs Lua IDE

The clearest difference is rating: luai5.2.1 at 4.4 against Lua IDE's 3.5. luai5.2.1 also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 50%) and monetization model (free vs freemium). Lua IDE's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. luai5.2.1 sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Lua IDE sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

luai5.2.1 holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of luai5.2.1's written reviews are positive against 50% of Lua IDE's.

luai5.2.1 ships an update every 3 months, Lua IDE every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | luai5.2.1 | Lua IDE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luai521-autocompleteruncode/id593464654/reviews)** | [3.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lua-ide-learn-lua-coding/id638219114/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **11** |
| Positive reviews | **91.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 24 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [小文 黄](https://appshunter.io/developer/490328393) | [盼军 崔](https://appshunter.io/developer/567286451) |

## What reviewers say

### luai5.2.1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luai521-autocompleteruncode/id593464654)

Learn, run, and share Lua scripts with code completion, syntax highlighting, and a built-in browser. Customize your learning environment and share code easily via various platforms.

**Highlights:** Autocompletion and auto-indent, Code coloring and syntax highlighting, Built-in browser for learning materials, File system support for various formats, Customizable interface and appearance, Code sharing via email and social media, Generate QR codes for scripts and materials

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To remove ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Password Service | $0.99 | one-time |
| Horizontal screen development | $0.99 | one-time |
| Simple Vedio | $0.99 | one-time |
| Encryption Compression | $0.99 | one-time |
| Text Search | $0.99 | one-time |
| Autocomplete | $0.99 | one-time |


### Lua IDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lua-ide-learn-lua-coding/id638219114)

This app provides a comprehensive environment for learning and coding in Lua. It features a code editor, file manager, and an integrated interpreter for testing and running scripts.

**Highlights:** Standalone Lua interpreter, Feature-rich code editor, Intuitive file manager, Interactive learning environment, Multi-file project support, Terminal integration, ANSI escape code support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Buy me a coffee | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Pro | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is luai5.2.1 free?

luai5.2.1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Lua IDE free?

Lua IDE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, luai5.2.1 or Lua IDE?

luai5.2.1 is rated higher. luai5.2.1 averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Lua IDE averages 3.5 from 11 ratings.

### Do luai5.2.1 or Lua IDE have ads?

Neither luai5.2.1 nor Lua IDE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, luai5.2.1 or Lua IDE?

luai5.2.1 ships an update every 3 months, and Lua IDE every 6 weeks. Most recently, luai5.2.1 was updated on September 21, 2026 and Lua IDE on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*