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Flutter continues to be a go-to framework for building multi-platform applications, thanks to its extensive library of open-source packages. In 2025, the Flutter ecosystem continues to thrive, with developers leveraging community-driven tools to save time and enhance functionality.
See the chart below:
If you're looking for the best tools for state management, databases, animations, API handling, and development best practices, VGV's expert engineering team has put together a list of essential packages to help you build high-performance, scalable Flutter applications.
Whether you’re developing a simple app or a complex enterprise solution, integrating these libraries can streamline your workflow and enhance efficiency.
Take some notes:
State Management & Business Logic
This is vital for any Flutter application that intends to deliver a seamless user experience and clean, maintainable code. Flutter_bloc and Riverpod stand out as powerful state management tools, offering both flexibility and scalability.
1. Flutter_bloc
Flutter_bloc provides a predictable state management solution using the BLoC (Business Logic Component) pattern. This approach ensures a strong separation between UI and business logic, allowing teams to work more efficiently.
With extensive documentation, a focus on testability, and a strong community, flutter_bloc is ideal for developers looking to implement a well-structured, maintainable state management strategy for their applications.
Learn more about why at VGV we use Bloc here!
2. Riverpod
Riverpod is a modern “reactive caching and data-binding framework” designed to improve dependency injection, state management, caching, and overcome limitations in older solutions like Provider (Riverpod’s predecessor).
Developers appreciate Riverpod for its ability to structure state management in a compile-time safe manner, making it easier to maintain complex applications over time.
Some of its advantages include:
- It’s fully testable
- App state is decoupled from the widget tree
- Providers and UI widgets can “watch” other providers and react when their values change
- It’s scalable for large projects
Networking
3. Dio
Efficient API handling is a key component of any modern application. Dio is a powerful HTTP client for Dart, making API calls easier and more efficient with robust networking features. It supports interceptors, global configuration, and file uploading, enabling developers to streamline their networking logic.
Dio also provides built-in support for request cancellation and retries, ensuring a reliable experience for users even in unstable network conditions. Compatible with RESTful APIs, Dio is a go-to solution for managing network requests in Flutter applications.
Database & Local Storage
For applications that require persistent data storage, choosing the right database solution is critical. Drift and Isar are two high-performance NoSQL databases optimized for Flutter, each catering to different development needs.
4. Drift
Drift is a powerful and flexible reactive persistence library for Flutter and Dart, built on top of SQLite. It allows developers to write type-safe SQL queries while leveraging Dart’s declarative power.
With its automatic query generation, efficient caching, and support for migrations, Drift is an excellent choice for applications that require structured data storage with SQL capabilities.
5. Isar
Isar is another high-performance NoSQL database that’s optimized for Flutter. It offers superfast read and write operations, making it ideal for applications requiring high-speed data processing.
With support for schema migration and the ability to work across mobile and desktop apps, Isar is a great option for developers looking for a scalable and efficient database solution.
Animations & UI Enhancements
Creating smooth, engaging animations enhances the user experience, and two standout tools for animations in Flutter are Rive and Lottie.
6. Rive
Rive allows developers to create interactive, real-time animations that are seamlessly integrated into Flutter applications. It enables rich, dynamic UI animations with support for state machines, ensuring fluid transitions and animations that feel natural. The efficient rendering engine in Rive is optimized for Flutter, allowing animations to run smoothly without compromising performance.
7. Lottie
Lottie is another essential tool for animation in Flutter applications. It enables high-quality vector animations, reducing file sizes compared to traditional GIFs while maintaining smooth playback. With support for Adobe After Effects animations, Lottie allows developers to create visually stunning motion graphics that enhance user engagement.
Linting & Validation
Maintaining clean, high-quality code is essential for any development team. Very Good Analysis, Very Good Workflows, and Flutter Lint are tools that help enforce best practices and streamline development.
8. Very Good Analysis
Very Good Analysis is a comprehensive linting package that enforces best coding practices for Flutter and Dart projects. It ensures that teams maintain a consistent and high-quality codebase by catching potential issues early in the development process.
9. Very Good Workflows
Very Good Workflows provides a set of CI/CD workflows optimized for Flutter projects, automating tasks such as testing and deployment. By integrating these workflows, teams can improve efficiency and maintain a smooth development pipeline.
10. Flutter Lint
Flutter Lint is another valuable tool that helps developers maintain consistent, high-quality code by enforcing linting rules specific to Dart and Flutter projects. These tools collectively contribute to a cleaner and more efficient development experience.
Dart in the Backend
For developers looking to expand their Flutter applications into full-stack solutions, DartFrog and Serverpod provide powerful backend capabilities.
11. DartFrog
DartFrog enables developers to build robust backend applications using Dart, simplifying API development and backend logic.
12. Serverpod
Serverpod, on the other hand, offers a structured backend framework with built-in support for authentication, database integration, and more.
Together, these tools empower Flutter developers to create seamless, full-stack applications using the Dart ecosystem.
Localization & Accessibility
13. Intl
To make applications accessible to a global audience, proper internationalization and localization are essential.
The Intl package provides developers with the tools needed to format dates, numbers, and currencies based on user locale. Supporting translations for multiple languages, Intl ensures that applications can cater to diverse markets without compromising usability.
Testing
14. Mocktail
Ensuring software reliability through effective testing is crucial for delivering a polished product. Mocktail simplifies mocking in unit tests, providing an easy-to-use API for creating test doubles. With no manual setup required for mock objects, Mocktail integrates seamlessly with Flutter's testing framework, improving test reliability and making the development process more robust.
Code Generation
For developers looking to streamline their workflow, Freezed and Build Runner offer powerful code generation capabilities for immutable data classes and efficient state management.
15. Freezed
Freezed simplifies immutable data modeling, reducing boilerplate code and improving maintainability. By generating structured and predictable data models, Freezed enhances the performance and reliability of Flutter applications.
16. Build Runner
Build Runner complements Freezed by automating the generation of code, ensuring that data models remain consistent and easy to manage.
Learn more
These open-source packages are indispensable tools for Flutter developers in 2025, providing solutions that enhance state management, data handling, UI, performance, and development workflows.
At VGV, we’re committed to supporting Flutter developers at every stage—from launch to scale—through our open-source software and best practice resources. We’re passionate about sharing our knowledge, and we hope our engineering insights and experiences help elevate your Flutter projects.
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