• Flutter
  • Packages
  • Best Practices

Top Flutter Packages: Why You Should Use Them

Aman Kumar

Aman Kumar

Flutter Developer, Gigawave

7 min read · June 14, 2025

Flutter's ecosystem thrives because of its rich package support. Whether you're building a small app or a production-ready platform, packages save development time, reduce boilerplate, and offer powerful features out of the box. Below is a detailed list of essential packages you should consider using in your Flutter app, along with the benefits of using them and the potential drawbacks if you don't.

1. Dio

Initialization:

app/main.dart
1final dio = Dio(); 2dio.options.baseUrl = 'https://api.example.com'; 3dio.options.headers['Authorization'] = 'Bearer YOUR_TOKEN';

Example:

app/main.dart
1Response response = await dio.get('/users'); 2print(response.data);
Benefits of Using It:
  • Powerful and customizable HTTP client for Dart.
  • Built-in support for interceptors, global configuration, and FormData.
  • Advanced features like retry logic, file downloading, and request cancellation.
  • Improved error handling with clean response objects.
  • Helpful for debugging with detailed logs and lifecycle hooks.
Loss of Not Using It:
  • You might struggle with manual error handling and request retries using the default http package.
  • No built-in support for interceptors or global configuration.
  • Handling multipart uploads becomes cumbersome.
  • Increased chances of inconsistent API response management.
  • Time-consuming manual setup for API headers and tokens.
Pros:
  • Clean and readable API.
  • Robust support for REST APIs.
  • Widely used and actively maintained.
  • Highly customizable and extendable.
  • Easy to integrate with interceptors for token refresh logic.

2. GetX

Initialization:

app/main.dart
1class Controller extends GetxController { 2 var count = 0.obs; 3 void increment() => count++; 4}

Example:

app/main.dart
1Obx(() => Text('Count: COUNT_VALUE'))
Benefits of Using It:
  • Minimal boilerplate for state management, routing, and dependency injection.
  • Highly efficient and reactive – updates only what is necessary.
  • All-in-one solution: routing, state, bindings, and services.
  • Reduces rebuilds and memory usage.
  • Great documentation and vibrant community.
Loss of Not Using It:
  • More complex state management solutions like Provider + Riverpod may increase learning curve.
  • Manual routing and state refresh logic without GetX's automation.
  • Increased app size and complexity with multiple state packages.
  • Slower development due to lack of integrated tools.
  • Less reactive design could lead to performance bottlenecks.
Pros:
  • High performance.
  • Simplified syntax and coding experience.
  • Reduces boilerplate significantly.
  • Combines routing, state, and DI into one solution.
  • Scales well for large apps.

3. go_router

Initialization:

app/main.dart
1final GoRouter router = GoRouter( 2 routes: [ 3 GoRoute( 4 path: '/', 5 builder: (context, state) => HomePage(), 6 ), 7 ], 8);

Example:

app/main.dart
1GoRouter.of(context).go('/profile');
Benefits of Using It:
  • Simplifies declarative navigation in Flutter apps.
  • Supports nested navigation and deep linking out of the box.
  • Tight integration with Flutter's Router API.
  • Supports custom transition animations.
  • Improved readability of navigation logic.
Loss of Not Using It:
  • Manual URL handling for web navigation.
  • Complicated nested navigation setup.
  • Missing out on type-safe route configuration.
  • Harder deep linking implementation.
  • More boilerplate in navigation code.
Pros:
  • Flexible and declarative.
  • Easy web support.
  • Better control over routes and state.
  • Scalable for large apps.
  • Backed by the Flutter team.

4. cached_network_image

Initialization:

app/main.dart
1CachedNetworkImage( 2 imageUrl: "https://via.placeholder.com/150", 3 placeholder: (context, url) => CircularProgressIndicator(), 4 errorWidget: (context, url, error) => Icon(Icons.error), 5)
Benefits of Using It:
  • Automatically caches network images.
  • Reduces network usage and improves performance.
  • Customizable placeholder and error handling.
  • Supports fade-in and other animations.
  • Integrates seamlessly with existing image widgets.
Loss of Not Using It:
  • Slower image loading every time from the network.
  • Increased data usage.
  • No fallback in case of error.
  • Manual caching implementation required.
  • Poorer user experience with image flickers.
Pros:
  • Drop-in replacement for Image.network.
  • Reliable and well-supported.
  • Improves app responsiveness.
  • Great for gallery or media-heavy apps.
  • Highly customizable.

5. firebase_crashlytics

Initialization:

app/main.dart
1await Firebase.initializeApp(); 2FlutterError.onError = FirebaseCrashlytics.instance.recordFlutterFatalError;
Benefits of Using It:
  • Automatic crash and error logging to Firebase console.
  • Real-time crash reporting with detailed stack traces.
  • Custom keys and logs for advanced error debugging.
  • Easy integration with Firebase Analytics.
  • Improves app quality through better debugging insights.
Loss of Not Using It:
  • No visibility into real-world crashes.
  • Harder to debug issues reported by users.
  • Missed opportunities to proactively fix issues.
  • Increased churn due to untracked bugs.
  • Longer bug resolution time.
Pros:
  • Real-time monitoring.
  • Lightweight and efficient.
  • Improves app reliability.
  • Easy to implement.
  • Free tier sufficient for most apps.

6. flutter_staggered_grid_view

Initialization:

app/main.dart
1StaggeredGrid.count( 2 crossAxisCount: 4, 3 children: [ 4 StaggeredGridTile.count(crossAxisCellCount: 2, mainAxisCellCount: 2, child: MyWidget()), 5 ], 6)
Benefits of Using It:
  • Helps create Pinterest-like staggered layouts.
  • Highly customizable grid behavior.
  • Great for dynamic content with different sizes.
  • Improves app aesthetics and usability.
  • Supports infinite scroll and animations.
Loss of Not Using It:
  • Inflexible and dull UI with standard grids.
  • Harder layout for media-heavy apps.
  • More code to handle custom grid logic manually.
  • Poor user experience for photo galleries or dynamic feeds.
  • Missed chance for modern, engaging designs.
Pros:
  • Great for e-commerce and social media UIs.
  • Works well with dynamic item sizes.
  • Easy to implement and maintain.
  • Active development and community.
  • Reduces layout boilerplate.
Next Blog

Flutter Fielding Position Picker Using CustomPainter

Read Next