Arattai App – Made in India WhatsApp Alternative by Zoho
- Kalyan Bhattacharjee
- Oct 2
- 3 min read
Overview | Arattai App
In today’s digital world, instant messaging apps have become an inseparable part of our lives. From sharing a quick “good morning” to hosting business meetings, we rely on platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal every single day. But recently, a homegrown alternative has been making headlines - Arattai, developed by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s most respected tech companies.
The word Arattai comes from Tamil, meaning “chat” or “casual talk”, and the app aims to bring exactly that - simple, reliable, and private conversations, with an added layer of Made in India trust.
What Makes Arattai Special?
Arattai isn’t just another chat app - it’s built with India’s needs in mind, combining Zoho’s trusted tech expertise with a privacy-first approach.
Made in India, Stored in India
One of Arattai’s biggest USPs is that all data is hosted on Zoho’s own data centers in India. Unlike many global apps that rely on AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, Zoho maintains complete control over its infrastructure. This means better data sovereignty and compliance with Indian privacy laws.
Feature-Rich Like WhatsApp
Arattai offers almost everything you’d expect in a modern messenger:
One-on-one and group chats
Voice & video calls
Multimedia sharing (photos, docs, videos)
Channels and status stories
Upcoming focus on end-to-end encryption for all message types
In short, it doesn’t feel like a stripped-down alternative, but a full-fledged communication tool.
Optimized for India’s Reality
Not everyone in India owns a high-end smartphone or has fast internet. Zoho has specifically designed Arattai to run smoothly on low-end devices and function well even in patchy network conditions. This could make it appealing to rural and semi-urban users where WhatsApp sometimes struggles.
Privacy-First Approach
While still evolving, Arattai promises end-to-end encrypted calls and a stronger stance on user privacy. Given Zoho’s track record (the company has openly opposed ad-based surveillance models), there’s a level of trust that Arattai will not aggressively mine user data for profit.
Why the Buzz Now?
Arattai recently witnessed a 100× surge in new sign-ups - jumping from about 3,000 daily registrations to over 350,000 per day. It even climbed the charts on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store in India, briefly surpassing WhatsApp in rankings.
This sudden growth has been fueled by:
Rising demand for “Swadeshi” digital platforms.
Endorsements from government leaders highlighting digital sovereignty.
A growing curiosity among users looking for non-Facebook-owned alternatives.
Challenges Ahead for Arattai
However, let’s be realistic. Competing with WhatsApp is not easy.
The biggest strength of any messenger is its network effect - people use it because their friends and families already do. Even if Arattai offers more features, convincing millions to switch is an uphill battle.
Some key challenges include:
Adoption at scale: Will enough people move away from WhatsApp?
Encryption transparency: Users will want clarity on whether chats are fully end-to-end encrypted.
Stability & performance: With such rapid growth, Zoho will need to continuously scale infrastructure.
Language inclusivity: While “Arattai” has cultural charm, non-Tamil speakers may find it unfamiliar.
Expert View
Having followed Zoho for years, one thing is clear: this is not a “startup experiment” - it comes from a company with decades of proven expertise, global customers, and a strong ethical stance on privacy. If any Indian company can make a dent in the messenger space, Zoho is a credible contender.
That said, mass adoption will depend on user trust, community building, and consistent innovation. It’s unlikely to replace WhatsApp overnight, but it may carve out its own loyal user base, especially among those who value data sovereignty and want a lighter, India-first solution.
Closing Notes
Arattai’s rise shows something bigger than just another app launch. It represents India’s growing confidence in building world-class tech products. Whether it becomes the “next WhatsApp” or a strong alternative for niche users, only time will tell.
But one thing is certain: the Indian digital ecosystem is no longer just a consumer of apps - it’s a creator too.
If you’re curious, Arattai is free to download on both Android and iOS. Maybe it’s time to give it a try and see if it can replace your current messenger.
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