Modern mobile app development cannot do without Real-time communication (RTC), which enables developers to embed communication options in their apps with ease. From the time that long-distance phone calls were first made to today’s technology involving video conferencing and instant messaging, RTC has changed, defining how we interact online.
RTC operates in two modes: half-duplex and full-duplex. Full-duplex involves simultaneous data transfer in both directions. However, half-duplex enables data transmission in both directions but not concurrently.
Due to the popularity of Flutter as a cross-platform framework, Real-time chat app packages have been gaining more attention than before. In this article, we will learn about the top 5 Flutter libraries that allow real-time communication and help developers develop interactive and engaging apps.
Overview
RTC is a communication channel that plays an essential role in building mobile apps as it ensures the inclusion of communication capabilities without obstacles. Just as real-time communication packages are in great demand, Flutter real-time chat is a strong cross-platform framework.
Let’s take a look at the Flutter package list.
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mirrorfly_plugin/mirrorfly.dart
mirrorfly_plugin/mirrorfly.dart is a Dart plugin designed to incorporate in-app messaging capabilities into Flutter chat API apps. Renowned for its quick integration, the mirrorfly_plugin stands out for its reliability and scalability, adapting to the growing user base of an app.
What Do You Need to Know About the MirrorFly Flutter Plugin?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
MirrorFly uses proprietary protocols for real-time chat. |
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Data Formats |
Supports JSON for structured data exchange. |
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Security |
Implements end-to-end encryption for secure messaging. |
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Error Handling |
Robust error handling mechanisms provided. |
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Communication Type |
Supports both synchronous and asynchronous messaging. |
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Connection Management |
Efficiently manages connections for real-time chat. |
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Concurrency & Threading |
Handles threading for concurrent message processing. |
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Compatibility |
Compatible with Flutter, providing cross-platform support. |
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Firebase_messaging
firebase_messaging simplifies the integration of Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). It allows push notifications and cloud messages. It simplifies data messages for iOS and web apps.
What You Need to Know About Firebase Messaging Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Utilizes Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) protocols. |
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Data Formats |
Supports various data formats for push notifications. |
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Error Handling |
Firebase handles errors through its messaging service. |
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Communication Type |
Asynchronous communication for push notifications. |
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Connection Management |
Manages connections for reliable messaging. |
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Concurrency & Threading |
Handles threading internally for concurrent operations. |
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Compatibility |
Compatible with both iOS and Android platforms. |
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Socket_io_client
socket_io_client is a Dart/ Flutter plugin package using the Socket.IO protocol. It is ideal for real-time apps like gaming and chat. It enables bidirectional data sharing between Flutter in-app communication and servers.
What You Need to Know About Socket.io Client Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Implements Socket.IO protocols for Real-time communication. |
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Data Formats |
Uses JSON for data exchange. |
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Security |
Utilizes secure WebSocket connections. |
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Error Handling |
Socket.IO provides error handling for communication issues. |
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Communication Type |
Asynchronous communication for real-time events. |
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Connection Management |
Manages persistent connections efficiently. |
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Compatibility |
Compatible with various server implementations. |
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Agora_rtc_engine
agora_rtc_engine facilitates the connection of Agora’s real-time communication Engine with Flutter apps, offering real-time audio and video communication capabilities.
What Do You Need to Know About the Agora RTC Engine Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Utilizes Agora’s real-time communication (RTC) protocols. |
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Data Formats |
Supports audio and video data formats. |
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Security |
Employs end-to-end encryption for secure real-time communication. |
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Error Handling |
Provides comprehensive error handling during RTC sessions. |
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Concurrency & Threading |
Supports concurrent audio and video streams. |
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Compatibility |
Cross-platform compatibility for iOS, Android, and web applications. |
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Twilio_programmable_chat
twilio_programmable_chat is a Flutter chat SDK package enabling the integration of the Twilio programmable chat service into your app, fostering interactive and collaborative Flutter apps.
What Do You Need to Know About Twilio’s Programmable Chat Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Adheres to Twilio Programmable Chat protocols. |
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Data Formats |
Uses JSON for exchanging chat-related data. |
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Security |
Implements robust security measures for chat communication. |
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Error Handling |
Twilio provides extensive error handling for chat operations. |
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Communication Type |
Supports both synchronous and asynchronous chat messaging. |
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Compatibility |
Compatible with Flutter, providing cross-platform chat support. |
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Mqtt_client
mqtt_client is a Dart library implementing the MQTT protocol. The protocol facilitates reliable and lightweight communication in Flutter apps. It is especially useful for low-bandwidth or high-latency networks in the Internet of Things (IoT) domain.
What Do You Need to Know About the MQTT Client Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Adheres to the MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol. |
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Data Formats |
Typically, it uses a lightweight binary format for efficient communication. |
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Security |
Supports security features through MQTT protocol specifications. |
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Concurrency & Threading |
Supports concurrent handling of MQTT messages. |
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Compatibility |
Cross-platform compatibility with various MQTT broker implementations. |
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flutter_ble_lib
flutter_ble_lib is a Flutter package designed to support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The package streamlines communication with BLE devices, which is particularly beneficial for Internet of Things (IoT) apps.
What Do You Need to Know About the Flutter Ble Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Implements Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols. |
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Data Formats |
Utilizes BLE standard data formats for communication. |
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Security |
Adheres to BLE security specifications for secure communication. |
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Error Handling |
Provides error handling for BLE operations and communication. |
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Communication Type |
Asynchronous communication for BLE devices and services. |
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Compatibility |
Compatible with Flutter for cross-platform BLE integration. |
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Flutter_blue
flutter_blue simplifies Bluetooth interaction within Flutter applications, offering a convenient interface for utilizing Bluetooth peripherals and devices.
What Do You Need to Know About the Flutter Blue Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Adheres to Bluetooth protocols for communication. |
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Data Formats |
Utilizes standard Bluetooth data formats. |
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Security |
Implements Bluetooth security measures for secure communication. |
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Error Handling |
Provides error handling for Bluetooth operations. |
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Communication Type |
Asynchronous communication for Bluetooth devices and services. |
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Compatibility |
Compatible with Flutter for cross-platform Bluetooth integration. |
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Web_socket_channel
web_socket_channel is a Dart package simplifying WebSocket communication in Flutter apps, making real-time bidirectional communication easy with an API for setting up and managing WebSocket connections.
What You Need to Know About Web Socket Channel Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Implements WebSocket protocols for real-time communication. |
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Data Formats |
Supports JSON and other data formats over WebSocket. |
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Security |
Utilizes secure WebSocket connections for data transmission. |
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Error Handling |
Provides error handling for WebSocket communication. |
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Communication Type |
Asynchronous communication for real-time events via WebSocket. |
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Compatibility |
Cross-platform compatibility for WebSocket communication. |
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Web3
Web3 refers to the decentralized third generation of web technologies. It is specifically related to standards and protocols in blockchain development for creating decentralized applications (DApps).
What Do You Need to Know About the Web3 Package?
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Parameters |
Description |
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Protocols & Standards |
Adheres to Ethereum protocols for blockchain interactions. |
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Data Formats |
Utilizes JSON-RPC for communication with Ethereum nodes. |
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Security |
Implements security measures for blockchain transactions. |
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Error Handling |
Provides error handling for web3 operations. |
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Communication Type |
Asynchronous communication for interacting with the Ethereum blockchain. |
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Compatibility |
Cross-platform compatibility for interacting with Ethereum in Flutter. |
Final Remarks:
Each of the packages in this list has a specific role to play. Socket. IO is very effective for real-time bidirectional communication, and Web3 is good at decentralized applications as well as integration with blockchain. However, for developers who are looking to easily add powerful real-time messaging support in Flutter apps, mirrorfly_plugin shines. Mirrorfly_plugin has impressive in-app communication features and is a developer-friendly, quick integration process that takes just 10 minutes.
Though the following list of top 5 best Flutter real-time packages cannot cover all options for real-time communication features, it is going to help you become a step ahead in the tough app development environment.
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