In a digital world dominated by Meta’s WhatsApp, India’s very own messaging app Arattai has recently become the talk of the town. With millions of downloads and government endorsements, Arattai is positioning itself as a secure, Indian-built alternative that prioritizes privacy and simplicity.
But can it really replace WhatsApp – a global giant with over 2 billion users? Let’s find out.
What Is Arattai?
Arattai (which means “chat” in Tamil) is a messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, a Chennai-based tech company founded by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas.
It was launched in January 2021, initially as an invite-only app, and by 2025, it has surged to the top of India’s App Store charts after being endorsed by several ministers and influencers.
Arattai aims to provide the same core messaging experience as WhatsApp but built entirely in India – a platform that prioritizes user privacy and independence from foreign data policies.
Name: Arattai (Tamil word meaning “casual chat” or “conversation”)
Developer / Parent Company: Zoho Corporation, headquartered in Chennai, India.
Founded / Launched: Launched in January 2021.
Founders & CEOs: WhatsApp vs. Arattai
- Founders: Jan Koum and Brian Acton (co-founders, launched in 2009).
- CEO: Will Cathcart (current head of WhatsApp since 2019; the app operates under Meta Platforms, Inc., with no separate CEO since Jan Koum stepped down in 2018).
Arattai
- Founder: Sridhar Vembu (as the founder of Zoho Corporation, the parent company that developed and launched Arattai in 2021).
- CEO: Sridhar Vembu (serves as CEO of Zoho Corporation, overseeing Arattai as its chief architect and leader).
- Zoho Founders: Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas founded Zoho in 1996.
WhatsApp vs Arattai
Feature | Arattai | |
Core Messaging | Text, voice notes, multimedia sharing | Text, voice notes, multimedia sharing; easy import from WhatsApp chats |
Group Chats | Up to 1,024 members | Up to 1,000 members + dedicated channels for larger communities |
Calls | Audio/video calls (E2EE) | Audio/video calls (E2EE); in-app meetings like Zoom |
Stories/Status | Status updates (24-hour expiry) | Stories + personal “Pocket” cloud storage for notes/media |
Multi-Device Support | Up to 4 linked devices | Seamless sync across phones, tablets, desktops (Linux/macOS/Windows) + Android TV app |
Unique Perks | Disappearing messages, business catalogs, Meta AI | Mentions tab (Slack-like), ad-free, regional language optimization |
Data Usage | Higher on low-bandwidth networks | Lightweight for 2G/3G and low-end devices |
Special Features of Arattai
Made in India – Fully developed and hosted in India, promoting data sovereignty.
Lightweight Design – Optimized for low-end smartphones and slow networks.
Multi-Device Sync – Chat seamlessly across devices without logging out.
Stories & Channels – Share updates and create community broadcasts.
Meetings Tab – Allows quick one-tap group calls, ideal for business or family chats.
Privacy Controls – End-to-end encryption (rolling out), no ads, and no data sharing with third parties.
Limitations of Arattai
While Arattai is promising, it’s still catching up in several areas:
- Full message encryption is not yet available (only calls are encrypted).
- Limited global reach, mostly focused on Indian users.
- No desktop WhatsApp Web-style QR link yet (under development).
- Server overloads during peak sign-up periods due to sudden user growth.
Popularity (2025)
In late 2025, Arattai saw a massive spike in downloads, jumping from just a few thousand daily installs to over 350,000 per day, after several Indian ministers promoted it on social media.
It quickly became the #1 app in the “Social Networking” category on India’s App Store, surpassing WhatsApp and Telegram in weekly installs.
Why Indians Are Switching to Arattai
Concerns over WhatsApp’s data sharing with Meta.
A growing “Vocal for Local” sentiment.
Strong government and public endorsements.
Desire for Indian control over user data and privacy-first alternatives.
Privacy and Security: WhatsApp vs. Arattai
WhatsApp:
- Encryption: Full end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all texts, calls, media, and backups.
- Data Storage: Global Meta servers; metadata collected, may be shared within Meta ecosystem.
- Features: Two-step verification, biometric locks, disappearing messages.
- Concerns: Metadata tracking; 2025 vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2025-30401, patched).
- Strength: Mature, battle-tested encryption.
Arattai:
- Encryption: E2EE for audio/video calls; text E2EE in testing, not default yet.
- Data Storage: Indian data centers, no third-party sharing, opt-in analytics.
- Features: Multi-device sync, group controls, no ads/AI scanning.
- Concerns: Text encryption gap; newer app, less tested.
- Strength: Data sovereignty, ad-free.
While WhatsApp remains unbeatable in user base and infrastructure, Arattai has emerged as a serious Made-in-India contender in 2025. It reflects India’s growing capability to build world-class tech platforms while respecting user privacy and promoting data independence.
As encryption and global rollout improve, Arattai could become India’s answer to WhatsApp – a true homegrown success story.
Links:
- Official Arattai website:
https://www.arattai.in - Download page (mobile / desktop):
https://www.arattai.in/download.html - Arattai on Google Play Store:
Download on Google Play - Arattai on Apple App Store:
Download on App Store
