Zoho Arattai is a Made-in-India messaging app designed for easy and secure communication. It offers features that appeal directly to Indian users and promises enhanced privacy. The app is gaining popularity fast among Indians as a strong alternative to WhatsApp.
What is Arattai?
Arattai is developed by Zoho, a leading IT company in India. Launched in January 2021, its name means “casual chat” in Tamil. The app is now being promoted as “India’s own messaging solution.” The recent surge in users is fueled by privacy concerns and government endorsements.
Arattai offers a simple, intuitive interface. It supports text messages, media sharing, audio and video calls, and group conversations. The platform is available on Android, iOS, web browsers, and even Android TV.
Key Features of Zoho Arattai
- End-to-End Encryption: Currently, Arattai provides encrypted voice and video calls but promises to launch end-to-end encryption for text messages soon. All calls are secure, so only the sender and receiver can access call data.
- Multi-Platform Access: Users can switch seamlessly between smartphone, desktop, and Android TV. This function is unique, as WhatsApp does not have a dedicated app for Android TV.
- Ad-Free and Free to Use: Arattai is completely free and does not show ads. This maintains a clean and distraction-free environment for users.
- User Identification: Users can join chats using a username instead of a mobile number. This improves privacy, as there is no need to share personal phone numbers when connecting.
- Group Chats and Media Sharing: Users can send text and voice notes, make video calls, share images, documents, and other media. It also supports large group chats and channel broadcasting.
- Mentions Page: Arattai features a separate page that shows all mentions of you in any chat or group. This makes it easy to track conversations without scrolling through each group.
- Indian Language Support: The app has stickers, themes, and local language options for better engagement. This gives it an Indian feel compared to foreign apps.
- ‘Pockets’ Feature: Users have a dedicated space to save and organize important messages and files. WhatsApp does not offer this specific feature.
- Lightweight Design: Arattai is designed to work well on low-memory smartphones and slow 2G/3G networks. This makes it accessible for rural India.
Why Should Indians Use Arattai?
- Made for India: Arattai is specifically designed with Indian needs in mind. It offers local languages and cultural features, catering to diverse communities.
- Data Privacy: Unlike many foreign apps, Arattai claims that user data is not shared with advertisers or third parties. This ensures data privacy for Indian users.
- Government Endorsement: Indian ministers and officials have publicly recommended Arattai as a safe and secure platform, which adds credibility and trust.
- Growing Community: In September 2025, daily sign-ups increased from 3,000 to over 350,000 after top government endorsements. The massive adoption shows strong trust from Indian users.
- Business and Personal Use: Arattai supports group meetings and official chats. In future updates, Zoho plans to integrate Arattai with business apps, making it useful for enterprises.
Arattai vs WhatsApp: A Simple Comparison
Ease of Switching
Switching from another app is easy. Arattai imports chats and contacts from other platforms. Users do not feel isolated when they move to this new messaging app.
Accessibility Features
Arattai is designed for users with older phones and weak network signals. Its lightweight structure means everyone in India, even in villages, can use it comfortably.
Privacy and Security
- All voice and video calls are encrypted.
- Text message encryption is coming soon.
- Data is not shared with advertisers.
- Users can chat without sharing their mobile number.
Areas for Improvement
Arattai does not have some advanced features like polls, payments, disappearing messages, and advanced chat security options, which WhatsApp offers.
However, Zoho is rapidly updating infrastructure and adding features. The company promises more updates in November 2025.
Final Thoughts
Zoho Arattai stands out as a safe, simple, and made-in-India messaging app. It is designed with Indian users in mind and offers unique features that benefit both urban and rural communities. With massive user growth, increasing government trust, and strong privacy promises, Arattai is emerging as a top choice for Indians looking for a messaging platform that supports their needs and protects their data.
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