Hello friends welcome in TheWorkMoney! When we talk about messaging apps in India, WhatsApp immediately comes to our minds. But now, there’s a new player in town that’s making everyone sit up and take notice Zoho Arratai. This made-in-India messaging app has created quite a buzz recently, with its downloads skyrocketing and even reaching the number one spot on app stores. Let’s dive deep into what makes this Indian alternative so special and why everyone is calling it the “Indian WhatsApp.”
What is Zoho Arratai?
Arratai is a messaging and calling app developed by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s leading software companies based in Chennai. The word “Arratai” comes from Tamil language and means “casual chat” or “chit-chat”. Though the app was initially launched in 2021 as what founder Sridhar Vembu called a “hopelessly foolish” side project, it has now become a serious competitor to global messaging giants.
The app was created with Indian users in mind, focusing on security, simplicity, and most importantly, being completely made in India. Unlike many foreign apps that collect user data for various purposes, Arratai promises to keep user privacy as its top priority.
The Story Behind Zoho Corporation
Before we understand Arratai better, let’s know about the company behind it. Zoho Corporation was founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas. What makes Zoho unique is that it’s a completely bootstrapped company – meaning they never took any external funding and grew using their own profits.
The company started as AdventNet Inc. in 1996 and was renamed to Zoho Corporation in 2009. Today, Zoho has more than 80 million users globally and offers over 50 business applications. The company’s headquarters is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and it has become one of India’s biggest software success stories.
Arratai’s Explosive Growth
What happened in September 2025 was nothing short of remarkable. The app experienced what experts call exponential growth, with daily sign-ups jumping from just 3,000 to an incredible 350,000 in just three days. This represents a 100x increase in user adoption!
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According to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, the company had to add infrastructure on an “emergency basis” to handle this massive surge. The growth came much earlier than expected – the company had planned a major update and marketing push for November 2025, but the organic viral growth caught them by surprise.
Why Did Arratai Suddenly Become Popular?
Several factors contributed to Arratai’s sudden rise to fame:
Government Support: The biggest boost came from government endorsements. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan publicly urged Indians to adopt Arratai, calling it “free, easy-to-use, secure, safe and made in India”. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also promoted Zoho’s products and even conducted a cabinet briefing using Zoho Show instead of Microsoft PowerPoint.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative: The app’s popularity aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission. This initiative, launched in 2020, encourages Indians to use domestic products and reduce dependence on foreign alternatives.
Privacy Concerns: With growing concerns about data privacy and “tech sovereignty,” many Indians are looking for secure alternatives to foreign apps. Arratai’s promise of being “spyware-free” and not selling user data resonates strongly with privacy-conscious users.
Social Media Buzz: The app went viral on social media platforms, with users sharing their experiences and comparing it to WhatsApp. This organic word-of-mouth marketing proved more powerful than any paid advertising.
Key Features of Arratai
Let’s look at what Arratai offers to its users:
Basic Messaging Features:
- One-to-one and group chats with text, voice notes, and media sharing
- Support for up to 1,000 participants in group chats
- Stories and channels for broadcasting updates
- Document sharing capabilities
Calling Features:
- High-quality audio and video calls
- End-to-end encryption for all calls
- Multi-device support including desktop and Android TV
Unique Features:
- Separate page for mentions across all chats and groups
- Android TV support for meetings and calls
- Lightweight design optimized for slow networks
- Strong support for regional Indian languages
Privacy and Security:
- No advertisements
- No user data monetization
- India-based data storage
- Promise of spyware-free experience
How Does Arratai Compare to WhatsApp?
While Arratai offers many similar features to WhatsApp, there are some key differences that users should be aware of:
| Feature Category | Arattai | |
| Origin & Company | Indian (Zoho Corporation, Chennai) | US-based (Meta/Facebook) |
| Launch Year | 2021 | 2009 |
| User Base | Growing rapidly (350K+ daily signups) | 3+ billion users globally |
| End-to-End Encryption | Only calls (messages coming soon) | Both calls and messages |
| Data Storage | India-based servers | Global servers |
| Ads & Monetization | No ads, no data selling | May use data for targeted ads |
| Group Chat Limit | Up to 1,000 members | Up to 1,024 members |
| Video Call Limit | Up to 50 participants | Up to 32 participants |
| File Sharing Limit | Up to 2GB per file | Up to 2GB per file |
| Multi-Device Support | 5 devices (including Android TV) | 4 devices (no Android TV) |
| Desktop App | Yes (Windows, Mac, Linux) | Yes (Windows, Mac) |
| Meeting/Conference | Built-in meeting feature | Basic video calling only |
| Personal Storage | Pocket feature for file storage | No dedicated storage |
| Location Sharing | ‘Till I reach’ smart location | Standard location sharing |
| Business Features | Channels for broadcasting | WhatsApp Business & API |
Advantages of Arratai:
- Completely made in India
- No advertisements or data selling
- Android TV support
- Optimized for Indian networks and devices
- Strong regional language support
- Data stored in India
Current Limitations:
- No end-to-end encryption for text messages yet (though Zoho promises this feature is coming soon)
- Smaller user base compared to WhatsApp’s 3 billion users worldwide
- Some technical issues during the recent surge, including OTP delays and call glitches
The Technical Challenges
With great success comes great responsibility. The sudden 100x increase in users has created several challenges for Arratai:
Infrastructure Strain: The company is working round the clock to add more servers and improve app performance. They are preparing for potentially another 100x surge in the future.
Bug Fixes: Users have reported issues like slower contact sync, OTP delays, and occasional call problems. Zoho has acknowledged these problems and is working on fixes.
Security Implementation: The most critical task is implementing end-to-end encryption for text messages, which is currently available only for calls.
Business and Integration Capabilities
Arratai isn’t just for personal use. The app offers several business-friendly features:
- Channels for Business: Companies can create broadcast channels to reach their customers
- Group Collaboration: Teams can collaborate effectively with large group support
- Multi-device Sync: Work seamlessly across phones, desktops, and even Android TVs
- Integration with Zoho Ecosystem: Being part of the Zoho family means potential integration with other Zoho business tools
The Road Ahead: Can Arratai Replace WhatsApp?
This is the million-dollar question that everyone is asking. While Arratai has shown impressive growth and features, replacing WhatsApp in India won’t be easy. Here’s why:
WhatsApp’s Advantages:
- Over 500 million users in India alone
- Deep integration into Indian digital culture
- Full end-to-end encryption for all communications
- Robust business ecosystem with WhatsApp Business and API
- Years of proven reliability and performance
Arratai’s Chances:
The app has several things going for it – government support, privacy focus, and the growing “Swadeshi” sentiment among Indians. However, success will depend on:
- Quickly implementing full encryption for messages
- Maintaining app stability as user base grows
- Adding more innovative featuresa that differentiate it from competitors
- Building a strong ecosystem for businesses
How Arratai Works: Step-by-Step Process
The setup process for Arratai is extremely simple and user-friendly:
Step 1: Download the App
- Android Users: Open Google Play Store and search for “Arratai Messenger” by Zoho Corporation
- iPhone Users: Go to App Store and search for “Arratai Messenger”
- Desktop Users: Visit arattai.in and download for Windows, Mac, or Linux
- Requirements: Android 6.0+ or iOS 14+
Step 2: Registration Process
- Open the app and select your country code
- Enter your mobile number (this will be your unique identifier)
- Verify your number with the OTP (One-Time Password) sent via SMS
- Note: Some users reported OTP delays during high traffic periods
Step 3: Profile Setup
- Add your name and profile photo
- Set up an optional username for easier discovery
- Choose your privacy settings
Step 4: Contact Sync and Permissions
The app will request several permissions:
- Contacts: To find friends already using Arratai
- Camera: For taking photos and videos
- Microphone: For voice messages and calls
- Storage: To save and share files
- Location: For location sharing features
- Notifications: To receive messages and call alerts
Step 5: Start Using
- Arratai automatically syncs your contacts and shows who’s already on the platform
- Start chatting with existing users or invite friends through SMS sharing
- Explore features like Stories, Channels, and Meetings
What Users Are Saying About Arratai
Early adopters of Arratai have shared mixed but mostly positive feedback:
Positive Points:
- Simple and clean interface
- Good call quality
- Fast performance on budget smartphones
- No annoying ads
- Feels truly “Indian” with good regional language support
Areas for Improvement:
- Need for message encryption
- Some features still feel basic compared to WhatsApp
- Occasional connectivity issues during peak usage
The Bigger Picture: Digital Self-Reliance
Arratai’s success represents something bigger than just another messaging app. It symbolizes India’s growing confidence in its own digital capabilities. The app’s rise coincides with several other “Make in India” success stories in the tech sector.
The Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative has been pushing for digital self-reliance across various sectors. From defense manufacturing to toy production, India has been trying to reduce its dependence on foreign products. Arratai’s success shows that Indian companies can create world-class products that compete with global giants.
Future Updates and Development
- Zoho has announced that a major update is planned for November 2025, which will include:
- Enhanced security features (including message encryption)
- New collaboration tools
- Improved performance and stability
- Additional business features
- Better integration with other Zoho products
The company is also working on expanding its infrastructure to handle millions of users without compromising on performance or security.
FAQs: Zoho Arattai App
An Indian messaging and calling app by Zoho that lets you chat, make calls, share files, and join groups.
Yes. It’s built by Zoho, a trusted Chennai-based software company, with strong privacy promises.
Sridhar Vembu is the founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation.
Absolutely. Arratai is made in India by Zoho, with data stored on India-based servers.
In Tamil, “Arratai” means casual chat or chit-chat.
Calls are end-to-end encrypted. Text message encryption is coming soon.
Yes. It uses encrypted calls, no ads, and keeps data in India for extra safety.
A full-featured chat app with text, voice/video calls, group chats, stories, channels, and personal storage.
Arratai was launched in January 2021 and went viral in September 2025.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Indian Digital Story
Arratai’s meteoric rise from 3,000 to 350,000 daily users in just three days is nothing short of extraordinary. While it may be too early to call it a “WhatsApp killer,” the app has certainly proven that Indian companies can create compelling alternatives to foreign products.
The success of Arratai sends a strong message to the global tech community that India is not just a market to be captured, but a country capable of creating its own digital solutions. Whether you’re a patriotic Indian looking to support Swadeshi products or simply someone concerned about privacy, Arratai offers a viable alternative worth considering.
However, the real test lies ahead. Can Arratai maintain this growth momentum? Can it solve its technical challenges quickly? Can it convince the average Indian user to switch from WhatsApp? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the Indian digital landscape just became a lot more interesting with Arratai’s entry.
As we move forward in this digital age, apps like Arratai remind us that innovation can come from anywhere, and sometimes the best solutions are the ones built closest to home. The story of Arratai is still being written, and we’re all witnesses to what could be the beginning of a new era in Indian technology.
What do you think about Arratai? Have you tried it yet? Share your experiences and let us know if you believe it can truly challenge WhatsApp’s dominance in India. The future of Indian messaging is in our hands, and every download counts in this digital revolution.