Arattai is an Indian-made messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, headquartered in Chennai. The name "Arattai" translates to "casual chat" in Tamil, reflecting its focus on easy and seamless conversations. It was soft-launched in January 2021, coinciding with increased interest in privacy-focused, Indian-origin messaging apps after WhatsApp's privacy policy update. In September 2025, Arattai experienced a surge in popularity, with daily sign-ups increasing dramatically.

Features

Arattai offers a comprehensive suite of features:

• Messaging: Text, voice notes, images, videos, and documents can be sent.
• Voice and Video Calls: The app supports audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption.
• Group Chats and Channels: Users can connect through group chats and channels. Group chats can have up to 1,000 members, and a group can have a maximum of 50 admins.
• Stories: Ephemeral stories and media sharing are available.
• Multi-Device Support: Arattai can be used across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, with support for up to five devices simultaneously. Messages, contacts, and settings are synced across devices.
• Arattai Pocket: A personal storage section within the app allows users to store important documents and files.
• Arattai Meeting: A dedicated meeting section allows users to create, join, and record online meetings.
• Low Bandwidth Optimization: Arattai is designed to function smoothly even with weak or intermittent internet connections.

Security and Privacy

Arattai prioritizes privacy and security, with calls encrypted end-to-end. However, a key difference between Arattai and WhatsApp is that text messages are not yet end-to-end encrypted on Arattai, though Zoho has stated that they will add this feature soon. User data is stored in India, supporting national data privacy standards. Zoho asserts that Arattai will adhere to strong user privacy principles and will not monetize personal data.

Can Arattai Replace WhatsApp in India?

While Arattai is gaining traction, it faces challenges in unseating WhatsApp, which has a large user base in India. Other apps, like Hike, Telegram, and WeChat, have also attempted to compete with WhatsApp. Arattai's strengths lie in its "Made in India" appeal, focus on privacy, and optimization for low-bandwidth environments. Sridhar Vembu, Zoho's CEO, envisions Arattai as an inclusive platform accessible to everyone, regardless of device or internet quality.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has endorsed Arattai and encouraged citizens to adopt it. The app has been promoted as a secure, user-friendly, and free messaging solution developed in India.

Challenges and Future

Despite its strengths, Arattai faces challenges:

• Lack of End-to-End Encryption for Text Messages: This is a major concern for privacy-focused users.
• Competition with Established Platforms: Overcoming the network effects and established ecosystems of apps like WhatsApp will be difficult.

Zoho aims to add more features and encryption for texts to enhance Arattai. The app's future success depends on its ability to innovate, maintain stability, and mature its feature set.