How to define different dependencies for different product flavors

To define a flavor specific dependency you can use proCompile instead of compile in your dependency section. When you run gradle properties you get an overview of automatic created configurations.

The correct build file looks like this:

buildscript {
    repositories {
        mavenCentral()
    }
    dependencies {
        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:1.2.3'
    }
}
apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

repositories {
    mavenCentral()
}

android {
    compileSdkVersion 22
    buildToolsVersion "22.0.1"

    defaultConfig {
        minSdkVersion 10
        targetSdkVersion 22
    }

    productFlavors {
        pro {
            packageName "de.janusz.journeyman.zinsrechner.pro"
        }
        free { }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile 'com.android.support:support-v4:22.2.0'
    freeCompile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:7.5.0'
}

Fast forward to mid-2018. You will need to add flavorDimensions.

android {
    ...
    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }

    flavorDimensions "dimensionName"
    productFlavors {
        pro {
            dimension "dimensionName"
        }
        free {
            dimension "dimensionName"
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.android.support:support-v4:22.2.0'
    freeImplementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:15.0.1'
}

Also, take note:

Configuration 'compile' is obsolete and has been replaced with 'implementation' and 'api'. It will be removed at the end of 2018. For more information see: http://d.android.com/r/tools/update-dependency-configurations.html

Simple:

dependencies {

    ....
    ....

    gradle.startParameter.getTaskNames().each { task ->
        if(task.contains("free")) {
             implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:17.2.0'
        }
    }

    ....
    ....
}

or just:

FreeImplementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:17.2.0'

You need to manually add configuration for each flavor. Example

configurations {
    proCompile
    freeCompile
}

dependencies {
    compile 'com.parse.bolts:bolts-tasks:1.3.0'

    proCompile 'com.android.support:design:23.1.1'
    freeCompile 'com.parse:parse-android:1.12.0'
}

Edit: I recommend using one of the other techniques!

An alternative to the accepted answer is this:

    ext {
        flavorType = ""
    }


    gradle.startParameter.getTaskNames().each { task ->

        if(task.contains("flavor1")){
            flavorType = "flavor1"
        } else if (task.contains("flavor2")){
            flavorType = "flavor2"
        } else {
            flavorType = "flavor3"
        }

    }

 if(flavorType == 'flavor1' || flavorType == 'flavor2') {
        compile 'com.android.support:support-v4:18.0.+'
    }

If you use Gradle with Kotlin, dependencies for custom flavors can be added as follows:

dependencies {
    "freeImplementation"("com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:7.5.0")
}