Flutter has emerged as a popular open-source framework for mobile application development since its launch. It’s favored not only by startups and small businesses but also by large enterprises due to its cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and versatility.
Flutter enables the development of powerful cross-platform applications with minimal coding, helping save time, cost, and effort. When combined with the right development tools, Flutter becomes even more capable of delivering stunning and functional mobile apps. Here’s a curated list of 24 essential Flutter app development tools every developer should know.
A] Flutter Development Tools for Productivity
1. Android Studio
Android Studio is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android application development by Google. Developers can create, test and run Android applications on Android and non-Android devices, and edit widgets on Android Studio. It has features like code completion, syntax highlighting, an APK analyzer and a rapid emulator.2. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is an open-source code editor designed by Microsoft. It is available on Windows, macOS and Linux platforms and is used for version control, task execution and debugging support.3. IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA is a Java IDE that mobile app developers use for its comprehensive support capabilities. IntelliJ IDEA has some great features like intelligent code completion, code analysis, and refactoring tools. It also helps to locate dead code, find bugs, and improve the code structure.4. DevTools
DevTools are a set of development tools integrated with Google Chrome, which can be accessed through your desktop Chrome UI. It can find and fix errors in your code, inspect and edit the HTML and CSS, and analyse the page.5. Flutter Inspector
Flutter Inspector or Flutter Widget Inspector is a tool for inspecting the widget hierarchy of the Flutter apps in real-time. As widgets are the building blocks of Flutter apps, Flutter Inspector can help to identify and organise the widgets in the app UI, streamline debugging and troubleshoot any issues during mobile app development6. DartPad
Dartpad is an open-source code editor tool for experimenting with Dart language on any browser. DartPad has been an exceptional tool for customising the user interface, quick prototyping and trying out new ideas. It comes equipped with a code editor and simulator for creating and editing designs efficiently.
Its unique “write once, run anywhere” approach, coupled with its rich set of widgets and high-performance rendering engine, makes it a preferred choice for app development.
Whether you require mobile app development, web development, or desktop application development, Flutter provides a seamless and efficient solution. When it comes to selecting from the vast pool of software development services, Flutter stands out, especially if your goal is to create an application that seamlessly operates across multiple platforms.
B] Flutter UI Design Tools
7. Flutter Gallery
Flutter Gallery is an official Flutter app that is designed to help developers with UI elements, design and layout and other app development Flutter frameworks. It is a source of inspiration for UI designs, layouts and animation.
8. Figma
Figma is a UI design tool that allows the entire team to access the live design with many collaborative features. Various Flutter app development companies use Figma due to its collaboration features.
9. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a vector-based Flutter UI design tool which allows users to collaborate on projects. Developers use Adobe XD to create robust and visually appealing designs. It can create mock-ups and prototypes quickly for web, Android, and iOS, and has extensive asset libraries.
10. Sketch
Sketch can be used for collaborative designs for UI and exported for use in Flutter projects. Developers use Sketch for creating concept pages, elements and icons which can be exported to be used in Flutter mobile apps.
11. Canva
Canva is a graphic design tool that can be used for creating simplistic yet attractive designs. The designs, animations and graphics created can be exported and used in app pages.
Further Read: Flutter App Development Best Practices to Follow
C] Flutter Development Libraries
12. Provider
Provider is a useful tool for simplifying inherited widgets for state management. It allows the descendant widget to access the stored state of its inherited widgets. The efficient progression of state makes Provider an effective tool for managing state in Flutter applications.
13. Firebase
Integrating Firebase with Flutter can allow the mobile application to access various backend services such as authentication, storage, databases, and hosting. It also provides A/B testing, performance monitoring and analysis.
14. Redux
Redux is an essential state management library tool for maintaining and updating data across multiple components of your application while keeping them independent. Redux has been used for managing the state of applications in Flutter and it has been very popular.
15. RxDart
RxDart is a ReactiveX-based functional programming library for Google Dart. RxDart follows a unidirectional data flow pattern that helps manage complex application states. RxDart can be used to build reactive and responsive applications.
16. GetX
GetX is a very useful Flutter development library which also provides microframework, route management and dependency injection. It offers features like easy navigation and reactive state management which allows developers to create creative apps.
17. Dio
Dio is a popular Dart HTTP client which makes working with HTTP network requests easier. It offers features such as FormData, file loading, timeout, and interceptors. Dio simplifies data exchange between remote servers.
D] Flutter Testing Tools
18. Flutter Driver
Flutter Driver is a testing framework for Flutter apps by providing an API to run the apps on emulators and real devices. Flutter Driver is able to process various tasks such as widget interaction, check buttons and links, scroll, enter and navigate through the app.
19. Mockito
Mockito is an open-source testing tool which is majorly used for Java, however, can be used for Flutter apps as well. Mockito allows users to define the nature of the objects, set expectations and check the interactions between the app’s components.
20. Flutter Golden
Flutter Golden is a testing toolkit for widgets and visual regression. Flutter Golden captures the images of the app and compares them with the app’s layout after UI rendering. It monitors unintentional changes in the UI layout and verifies that it remains consistent.
21. Codemagic
Codemagic offers an efficient solution to automate the testing of apps on emulators, simulators and real devices. It can help developers test and even deploy apps without any difficulty. With Codemagic you can ensure that the site is properly tested for unit tests, integration tests, and UI tests.
Further Read: 10 Key Flutter App Development Trends to Look Out for
E] Flutter Deployment Tools
22. Bitrise
Bitrise is a continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) service for multiple platforms. Bitrise simplifies the process of launching and deploying Flutter apps and the process of building and testing those apps. Bitrise allows the developers to work on both Android and Ios apps at the same time.
23. Fastlane
Fastlane uses automation technology to release and deploy the Flutter mobile apps for both IOS and Android. It streamlines the development process, reducing time and effort with its seamless integration and extensive library of pre-built templates.
24. Google Play Console
Google Play Console is the official platform for publishing and distributing Flutter Android apps for Play Store. Google Play Console can help to analyse the app’s performance and monitor user engagement.
Conclusion
Mobile app development is a time-consuming process with various steps to it. While Flutter has played a prominent role in streamlining the process, using additional tools for development, UI, testing and deployment can make the process easier. The above flutter development tools can be used to reduce the workload and improve productivity.
However, it should be noted that each tool has its unique advantages and limitations. Developers must choose the right tool for the right process as per their requirements. If you are looking for a top flutter app development company in India, feel free to consult with our experts, we are always happy to help.
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Further Reading: Flutter App Development Best Practices to Follow