Arattai Messenger: Zoho’s Answer to WhatsApp

In an era when privacy, sovereignty and data control dominate digital conversations, India’s Arattai Messenger is emerging as a serious homegrown alternative to global messaging giants like WhatsApp and Telegram. Developed by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s most respected software firms, Arattai (meaning “chat” in Tamil) represents more than just another messaging app, it’s a statement of intent.

What Is Arattai?

Origins & Development by Zoho

Arattai was launched quietly by Zoho in early 2021 as a beta experiment during the global backlash against WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policy update. But it wasn’t an impulsive move as Zoho had been building enterprise communication tools like Cliq and Workplace and saw a chance to apply its expertise to consumer messaging.

Under the leadership of Zoho’s founder and CEO, Sridhar Vembu, Arattai was designed to provide a fast, secure and India-hosted messaging experience which is fully managed within Indian data centers, outside the control of foreign governments and surveillance regimes.

Meaning of the Name & Brand Positioning

The name “Arattai” means Tamil for “chat” and reflects Zoho’s cultural philosophy: building global products with Indian roots. Unlike other startups chasing valuation and virality, Zoho’s approach is deliberate and self-funded. Arattai fits that DNA: a non-VC-backed, privacy-first alternative born out of conviction, not competition.

As India’s digital population crosses 800 million, Arattai’s rise signals a growing desire for platforms that are made in India, for India.

Core Features & User Experience of Arattai 

Messaging, Voice/Video Calls & More

At first glance, Arattai feels familiar, it supports individual and group chats, voice/video calls, file sharing and stories, much like WhatsApp or Signal. But beneath the surface lies Zoho’s engineering discipline: no ads, no tracking pixels and no data monetization.

Unique Features of Arattai

Some standout features include:

• Meetings Integration: Powered by Zoho’s enterprise stack.
• Multi-device Support: Users can access chats seamlessly across platforms.
• Offline mode: Optimized for India’s patchy connectivity zones.
• Meetings tab: Allows users to create, join and schedule meetings directly within the app, eliminating the need for separate video conferencing platforms.
• Pocket: A personal storage feature where users can save messages, media and files for themselves, distinct from the main chat log.
• Android TV support: Offers an official app for Android TV, providing multi-device support beyond just phones and desktops.
• Mentions tab: A dedicated section that lists all messages where a user has been mentioned, making it easy to track important conversations.
• Ad-free and privacy-focused: Operates without ads and with a promise of not monetizing user data, storing all information on Indian servers.
• Lightweight design: The app is designed to be resource-efficient, making it suitable for users with lower-end smartphones and weaker internet connections.
• End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Supports E2EE for voice and video calls, though text messages are not yet fully end-to-end encrypted in the same way as some other apps like WhatsApp
• File sharing: Allows for file sharing with a limit of up to 1 GB. 

Arattai’s clean interface and local-language adaptability make it approachable for first-time users and tech professionals alike.

Surge in Popularity of Arattai is the National Moment

Download Explosion & App Store Rankings

Arattai saw a massive spike in downloads during WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy backlash, crossing over 1 million installs in a matter of weeks. As of 2025, it continues to trend in India’s “Top Communication Apps,” backed by Zoho’s stable infrastructure.

Government Endorsements & Public Sentiment

While not officially endorsed, Arattai aligns perfectly with India’s Digital Atmanirbhar Bharat narrative, promoting indigenous technology and data localization. Many users see it as the patriotic alternative: a “Make in India” chat platform that keeps your data at home, not on foreign servers.

Privacy, Encryption & Trust Issues with Arattai

What’s Encrypted Today and What’s Not!

Despite Zoho’s privacy-first claims, Arattai initially faced scrutiny over its encryption model. While voice and video calls were end-to-end encrypted, text messages were not and were stored temporarily on servers for delivery.

The “Trust Me, Bro” Controversy

When privacy researchers pointed this out, Arattai responded that full encryption was “coming soon.” Critics called this the “Trust me, bro” phase, echoing how early messaging apps made similar promises. However, Zoho has since confirmed that E2E encryption for all chat modes is in advanced testing, with independent audits underway.

Commitment to Privacy

Zoho’s reputation lends credibility. The company has a zero-advertising business model, hosts all data within India and has consistently spoken out against surveillance capitalism. If any Indian company can build a secure messenger that earns user trust, it’s Zoho.

How Arattai Stacks Against WhatsApp & Others?

 Key Differences: Arattai vs WhatsApp vs Signal

• Data Hosting: Arattai keeps user data India-based, promoting local data security. WhatsApp uses Meta-owned global servers, while Signal hosts data globally too.
• Ads & Tracking: Arattai and Signal offer a completely ad-free and tracking-free experience. WhatsApp is integrated into the Meta Ads ecosystem, using data insights for personalization.
• Cloud Backup: Arattai includes an integrated “Pocket” backup for seamless local cloud storage. WhatsApp relies on Google Drive/iCloud, while Signal limits backups to local devices only.
• Business Model: Arattai operates as a self-funded project. WhatsApp depends on ad revenue, whereas Signal sustains itself through community donations.
• Encryption: Arattai is rolling out full end-to-end encryption (E2E). Both WhatsApp and Signal already have full E2E encryption by default.
• Focus: Arattai positions itself as a privacy-first, India-centric alternative to global giants, blending independence with secure communication.

The biggest difference lies in trust and autonomy. Arattai is built by Indians, hosted in India and accountable under Indian law.

The Challenge of Network Effect

The hardest part for any new messenger isn’t technology, it’s people. WhatsApp’s 2 billion users are locked in by habit and convenience. Arattai’s challenge is to build communities and integrations that make switching worthwhile.

Challenges with Arattai. What Could Go Wrong?

Infrastructure Strain & Scaling

With growth comes complexity. Maintaining reliable uptime, handling media-heavy traffic and securing servers at scale are major technical hurdles for any messaging app.

User Retention & Feature Gaps

Arattai must go beyond patriotic appeal, it needs innovation to retain users in a crowded app landscape where Telegram, Signal and Threads are all evolving fast.

Regulatory Risks

As India’s data protection laws tighten, messaging apps will face stricter compliance requirements. Zoho’s strong governance may help, but even good actors must navigate red tape.

The Futurism Today Insight

Arattai’s emergence is more than a software story. It’s a symbol of digital self-reliance. In a market dominated by global tech giants, it represents the quiet assertion of Indian technological sovereignty. But true independence isn’t just about where data lives. For Arattai, the path ahead depends on proving that privacy and performance can coexist at scale.

If it succeeds and all of us at The Futurism Today truly hope it does, Arattai won’t just be India’s answer to WhatsApp, it could be the blueprint for a new generation of ethical, locally rooted globally apps.