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Flutter

Top 10 Flutter Libraries, Tools, Packages, And Plugins For Development

Last Updated on December 16, 2022

8 min read

Quick Summary:

Open-source Platforms have always played a significant role in writing and distributing software. It has made software development easy and more convenient. Flutter is one of the best examples of Google’s free and open-source mobile app SDK ( Software Development Kit ) for crafting high-quality native interfaces on cross-platforms. Today this blog post will help you understand the top Flutter libraries, Tools, Packages, and Plugins that can be used in your next or existing Flutter application.

Introduction

Google’s Flutter UI framework, being an open-source cross-platform, is quickly embraced by the mobile app community as it lets you create mobile, web, and desktop apps just in a single codebase. Flutter has a thriving community with programmers putting their best efforts to take Flutter further to achieve new heights of success. A record time of 120 FPS is the best example of a reliable mobile UI framework.

Like other libraries, plugins and packages help reduce the development time and extend the language’s capabilities. It offers significant functionalities like image caching HTTP calls to save development time with the right tools.

Here we have curated a list of top Flutter libraries, packages, tools, and plugins to provide remarkable support for Flutter app development. After conducting in-detail research, we have picked out the best list of things to support Flutter app development.

Top 10 Useful Flutter Libraries in 2022

1. Fl_chart

To my knowledge, there is nothing official for the graphics yet, and fl_chart is a fantastic library that supports pie charts, bar charts, line charts, etc. It also provides impressive packages and parameters to customize the looks and feel of the graphs to develop data-intensive apps with features like drawing graphics, filtering, and analytics.

To understand more about the fl_chart, add and install packages, and get started, go pleased through this reference.

2. Url_launcher

Amongst the all best Flutter packages, this Flutter package assists in launching URLs in mobile apps through predefined schemas and various functions as it supports both the operating system – iOS and Android. It is preferable for multiple URL schemas like HTTP, email, and SMS.

Example

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:url_launcher/url_launcher.dart';
 
void main() {
  runApp(Scaffold(
    body: Center(
      child: RaisedButton(
        onPressed: _launchURL,
        child: Text('Show Flutter homepage'),
      ),
    ),
  ));
}
 
_launchURL() async {
  const url = 'https://flutter.dev';
  if (await canLaunch(url)) {
    await launch(url);
  } else {
    throw 'Could not launch $url';
  }
}

Reference: Pub.dev

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3. GetIt

It is one of the most significant packages that can be used to architect your application for better performance. It is a simple Service Locator for Dart, highly inspired by Splat. Get_It is used by many known applications built with Flutter, and at Bacancy Technology, we use it with almost all the Flutter applications. Most Common Usage:

To access service objects like REST API clients, databases
Access View/AppModels/Managers/BLoCs from Flutter Views

4. Rxdart

It’s a reactive functional programming library for Google Dart based on ReactiveX. Google Dart has come up with an out-of-the-box Streams API to provide an alternative API to add RxDart functionality on top of it.

How to use RxDart?

import 'package:rxdart/rxdart.dart';
 
void main() {
  const konamiKeyCodes = const [
    KeyCode.UP,
    KeyCode.UP,
    KeyCode.DOWN,
    KeyCode.DOWN,
    KeyCode.LEFT,
    KeyCode.RIGHT,
    KeyCode.LEFT,
    KeyCode.RIGHT,
    KeyCode.B,
    KeyCode.A,
  ];
  final result = querySelector('#result');
 
  document.onKeyUp
    .map((event) => event.keyCode)
    .bufferCount(10, 1) // An extension method provided by rxdart
    .where((lastTenKeyCodes) => const IterableEquality().equals(lastTenKeyCodes, konamiKeyCodes))
    .listen((_) => result.innerHtml = 'KONAMI!');

Source: GitHub

5. Package_info

This library works as a bridge to fetch the application version information on iOS and Android. Usage:

import 'package:package_info/package_info.dart';
 
PackageInfo packageInfo = await PackageInfo.fromPlatform();
 
String appName = packageInfo.appName;
String packageName = packageInfo.packageName;
String version = packageInfo.version;
String buildNumber = packageInfo.buildNumber;

Reference: StackoverFlow

6. Cached_network_image

CachedNetworkImage is used to present the images from the web and keep them in the cache. It can also be used with placeholder and error widgets.

How to use ?

The CachedNetworkImage can be used directly or through the ImageProvider. With a placeholder.

CachedNetworkImage(
        imageUrl: "http://via.placeholder.com/350x150",
        placeholder: (context, url) => CircularProgressIndicator(),
        errorWidget: (context, url, error) => Icon(Icons.error),
     ),

Source: Pub.dev

7. Font_awesome_flutter

This library contains 1588 awesome icons to use in the application.

Its implementation is really simple and convenient

import 'package:font_awesome_flutter/font_awesome_flutter.dart';
 
class MyWidget extends StatelessWidget {
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return IconButton(
      // Use the FaIcon Widget + FontAwesomeIcons class for the IconData
      icon: FaIcon(FontAwesomeIcons.gamepad), 
      onPressed: () { print("Pressed"); }
     );
  }
}

Reference: Pub.dev

8. Flushbar

With Flushbar, creating error messages, quick information messages, and warning messages are convenient to notify users and guide them about certain actions.

Demo: Global Notification Using Flutter Routes.

9. Dio

Dio is a renowned powerful Http client for Dart that supports FormData, Global configuration, Request Cancellation, timeout, file loading, interceptors, and more.

Demo: How to make an Http Request

10. SQFLite

In Flutter, there is no built-in abstraction for the right use of SQLite Database; however, with the SQFlite plugin, it is convenient to access both Android & iOS with the help of the SQLite database. The Flutter team highly recommends this well-maintained plugin.

Top Flutter Development Tools

1. Firebase

Firebase is a fantastic tool with many functionalities like analytics, real-time database, Admob, messaging, hosting, crash reporting, and Firebase Authentication. With Firebase, it is so convenient to integrate on a Flutter app and shop it on a cross-platform application. Firebase APIs can be used as a unified backend into a single SDK.

2. RIVE

Rive was previously known as 2Dimentions. Rive work on real assets allows you to design UI or characters that don’t depend on the mockups. With Rive, it is so convenient to add load files in your app or game.

3. pub.dev

It’s a command-line tool that installs and uses the Dart libraries with the packages available at the Pub.dev.

4. Screenshots

It is a standalone command-line utility and package for capturing screenshot images for Flutter. Screenshots can be integrated into Flutter to work on iOS and Android. Demo of Screenshots in action: screenshots from Maurice McCabe on Vimeo.

5. Codemagic

If you are looking for a tool to boost the Flutter app development process, then Codemagic comes as a handy tool. Codemagic is convenient to automate your Flutter application’s whole process.

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Top Flutter Packages For Development

Below is the list of Flutter best packages business owners can use to develop their products.

1. Image_picker

Image_picker is a flutter plugin widely used to select images on both the OS libraries.

Example: Image Picker plugin for Flutter

import 'package:image_picker/image_picker.dart';
 
class MyHomePage extends StatefulWidget {
  @override
  _MyHomePageState createState() => _MyHomePageState();
}
 
class _MyHomePageState extends State {
  File _image;
 
  Future getImage() async {
    var image = await ImagePicker.pickImage(source: ImageSource.camera);
 
    setState(() {
      _image = image;
    });
  }
 
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(
        title: Text('Image Picker Example'),
      ),
      body: Center(
        child: _image == null
            ? Text('No image selected.')
            : Image.file(_image),
      ),
      floatingActionButton: FloatingActionButton(
        onPressed: getImage,
        tooltip: 'Pick Image',
        child: Icon(Icons.add_a_photo),
      ),
    );
  }
}

Source: Dunebook

2. Path_provider

This Flutter Plugin package is used to discover iOS and Android development files.

Example: Path_provider

Directory tempDir = await getTemporaryDirectory();
String tempPath = tempDir.path;
 
Directory appDocDir = await getApplicationDocumentsDirectory();
String appDocPath = appDocDir.path;

3. Sqflite

This plugin supports both the operating systems – iOS and Android.

Supports transaction and batch processing
Automatic version management during the start
It has helpers for inserting, updating, and deleting queries
DB operations in the background thread

Usage example

Import sqflite.dart
import 'package:sqflite/sqflite.dart';

4. Scope Model

The scope model is a set of utilities to pass a data model from the parent widget to descendants. It has three main classes: model class, ScopeModel widget, and scopeModelDescendant widget. Example:

/**
Create a class that holds some view state
The counter starts at 0 and can be incremented.
Note: It must extend from the Model.
*/

class CounterModel extends Model {
int _counter = 0;
int get counter => _counter;
void increment() {
// First, increment the counter
_counter++;
// Then notify all the listeners.
notifyListeners();
}
}
/**
Create our App, which will provide the `CounterModel` to
all children that require it!
*/
class CounterApp extends StatelessWidget {
@override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
/**
First, create a `ScopedModel` widget. This will provide the `model` to the children that request it.
*/
return new ScopedModel(
model: new CounterModel(),
child: new Column(children: [
/**
Create a ScopedModelDescendant. This widget will get the
CounterModel from the nearest ScopedModel.
It will hand that Model to our builder method and rebuild any time the CounterModel changes (i.e., after we `notifyListeners` in the Model).
*/
new ScopedModelDescendant(
builder: (context, child, model) => new Text('${model.counter}'),
),
new Text("Another widget that doesn't depend on the CounterModel")
])
);
}
}

Source: Dunebook

5. Flutter_webview_plug-in

If you want your Flutter app to communicate with the native Webview, then Flutter_webview_plug-in is such a handy package.

new MaterialApp(
routes: {
"/": (_) => new WebviewScaffold(
URL: "https://www.google.com",
appBar: new AppBar(
title: new Text("Widget webview"),
),
),
},
);

Source: Dunebook

Top 10 Flutter Plugins

Make use of these best Flutter useful plugins to save lots of development time.

1. Flutter Plugins: This repository has been introduced by the official Flutter team with backbone features if a mobile app such as WebView, Video Player, Maps, Alarm Manager, Firebase service, etc.

2. SpriteWidget: This toolkit is used to create complex and high-performance animations and 2D games for a full-fledged game.

3. Zebra EMDK: For the convenient access of barcode scanner API.

4. Proximity Sensor Plugin: To access the proximity sensor of your device.

5. Google Mobile Vision: An implementation of Google Mobile Vision.

6. Offline: To deal with offline and online connectivity.

7. Snaplist: To make snappable list views.

8. Calendar Widget: To scroll a calendar list of events.

9 Flutter Location: This plugin handles callbacks when the location is changed.

10 Speech Recognition: Recognize the speech in the OS10+ / Android 4.1+.

Conclusion

We hope you have understood the best Flutter libraries, top Flutter tools, Flutter top packages, and best Flutter plugins. So, if you are looking for a Flutter app Development Company, who have well-versed Flutter developers with proficient knowledge of the above libraries, tools, packages, and plugins, then hire Flutter developer from us. We can help you update Flutter version or build cross-platform sophisticated mobile apps in record time and get a full spectrum of flutter development services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which tools use for Flutter App development?

The best tools for Flutter App Development are CodeMagic, RIVE, Firebase, and many others. These tools help develop faster development processes and give analytics insight.

What is the best Flutter plugin for Android studio?

As we know, Flutter is the best cross-platform app development framework in 2022. Therefore, to develop a rich Android application, you can use Pubspec Assist, Error Lens, Flutter Tree as android plugins for app development.

How many packages are in Flutter?

A flutter is an open-source software development framework, and it also offers open-source ( free to use ) packages to develop Flutter apps. It offers over 18,000 packages to build user-friendly cross-platform applications.

How much does Flutter application development cost?

Flutter App development cost may vary from country to country. At Bacancy, the Flutter developer hourly rate is around $23.

Is Flutter good for big projects?

Flutter is a very convenient and cost-efficient framework. That is why it is a highly recommended and most popular app development framework in today’s time.