DartPad

What DartPad is

DartPad is a free, open source browser tool for trying Dart and Flutter code interactively. The editor supports console, web, and Flutter apps, and offers hints, documentation, autocomplete, and a Dart formatter while you write. Its library support includes multi-platform dart:* libraries and, for Flutter apps, package:flutter and dart:ui. It does not support deferred loading or arbitrary pub.dev packages beyond the packages it currently supports. DartPad uses GitHub Gists to load and share code; a Gist needs a main.dart file to open as a pad. A pad loaded from a Gist can be embedded on a web page using an iframe, but the interface no longer supports creating or updating Gists directly. Code may be sent to Google Cloud for analysis and compilation, and raw source code is deleted after no more than 60 days. DartPad also uses Google Analytics to report feature usage statistics. It is intended to help developers learn Dart and its libraries, and is designed for modern browsers. The service is available on the web, with a free plan listed as free.

Who it suits

DartPad suits developers learning Dart and its libraries, or anyone who wants to try supported Dart and Flutter code in a browser. It is designed for modern browsers.

Limits

The Free plan does not support deferred loading or arbitrary pub.dev packages beyond DartPad’s currently supported packages. Sharing requires a GitHub Gist with main.dart, and the interface cannot create or update Gists directly.

Getting started

1. Open https://dartpad.dev/ in a modern browser
2. Choose a console, web, or Flutter app editor
3. Write Dart or Flutter code with the editor assistance
4. Load a GitHub Gist containing a main.dart file to open shared code
5. Embed a Gist-loaded pad in a web page with a normal iframe

Verdict

DartPad offers a free browser-based way to explore supported Dart and Flutter code, with editor assistance and Gist-based sharing. Its package limits and the discontinued in-interface Gist editing are worth noting.