flutter_local_notifications: a Flutter developer's guide

A Flutter plugin for displaying local notifications on Android, iOS, macOS, Linux and Windows.

CategoryLibrary/Tooling
Stars★ 2,656
Last update2026-07-05
PriorityHigh

flutter_local_notifications is an open-source developer tooling library for Flutter mobile app development, with 2,656★ on GitHub and last updated on 2026-07-05. This guide covers what flutter_local_notifications does, why it matters in 2026, how to add it to your project, when to reach for it, and how it compares to the alternatives — plus a quick FAQ.

What is flutter_local_notifications?

A Flutter plugin for displaying local notifications on Android, iOS, macOS, Linux and Windows. It focuses on improving your Flutter developer workflow and codebase. The project lives at MaikuB/flutter_local_notifications and is maintained by MaikuB.

Why flutter_local_notifications is worth knowing in 2026

flutter_local_notifications carries 2,656 GitHub stars, 1,562 forks, 124 open issues. It has been around since 2018, and is actively maintained (updated within the last month). For a Library/Tooling option, that combination of adoption and upkeep usually means a healthy community, production usage, and plenty of examples to learn from — the things that make a dependency safe to build on.

Installing flutter_local_notifications

Add the package to your pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
  flutter_local_notifications: ^latest

Then fetch it and import it in your Dart code:

flutter pub get
import 'package:flutter_local_notifications/flutter_local_notifications.dart';

Check the package’s example/ directory and its pub.dev page for the exact API — flutter_local_notifications is versioned there with full docs so you always integrate against the current release.

When should you use flutter_local_notifications?

Reach for flutter_local_notifications when:

  • you want to automate or streamline part of your build
  • you need better debugging, codegen, or DX
  • you’re standardising tooling across a team

It’s especially relevant if your project touches android, dart, flutter, flutter-plugin, ios, linux.

flutter_local_notifications vs. the alternatives

If you’re weighing options in the Library/Tooling space, these are the other projects developers most often compare flutter_local_notifications against:

There’s no single winner — the right pick depends on your app’s size, your team’s familiarity, and your performance budget. Browse the full Library/Tooling collection to compare them side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is flutter_local_notifications free to use?

Yes. flutter_local_notifications is open source and free to use in your Flutter projects. You can view the source, report issues, and contribute on GitHub.

Does flutter_local_notifications work on both iOS and Android?

flutter_local_notifications is built for Flutter, so it targets iOS and Android from a single codebase, and typically web and desktop too depending on the project’s platform support.

As of 2026, flutter_local_notifications has around 2,656 stars and 1,562 forks on GitHub, which puts it among the more widely used options in the Library/Tooling space.

What are good alternatives to flutter_local_notifications?

Popular alternatives in the Library/Tooling category include flclash, ente, nativescript. The best choice depends on your app’s size, team, and performance needs.

How do I install flutter_local_notifications?

Add flutter_local_notifications to the dependencies section of your pubspec.yaml and run flutter pub get. Full versions and API docs are on pub.dev.

Resources & links

Part of FlutterCook — 500 hands-on guides to the best open-source Flutter libraries, UI kits, and apps. Explore the live GitHub trends or browse YouTube guides.

#android#dart#flutter#flutter-plugin#ios#linux