In India, messaging apps are no longer just a means of chatting but have become a part of our everyday lives. From a morning “good morning” to a night “good night,” every conversation happens on one app or another—and most people use WhatsApp for this.
But since questions have started being raised about data privacy, users have started looking towards Indian apps. At this time, Zoho Corporation has introduced its own indigenous messaging app—Arattai, which is completely “Made in India.”
What is Zoho Arattai?
Zoho Corporation is a renowned Indian software company, founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas. Today, the company has over 55 products used by over 130 million people in over 150 countries.
Arattai (Tamil for “conversation”) was launched by Zoho in 2021, just around the time WhatsApp’s new privacy policy sparked controversy. The app is available on Android, iOS, Web, Desktop, and Android TV. It has a lightweight interface and runs on Zoho’s own servers—meaning your chat data is kept secure in India.
Download link:
Arattai vs WhatsApp: Which is better?
| Feature | Arattai (Zoho) | WhatsApp (Meta) |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Indian company (Zoho Corp, Chennai) | Foreign company (Meta, USA) |
| Data Privacy | E2EE calls, data stored on Indian servers | E2EE, but metadata shared with Meta |
| Group Size | Up to 1,000 members | Up to 1,024 members |
| File Sharing | Up to 100 MB | Up to 2 GB |
| Cloud Backup | Zoho Cloud | Google Drive / iCloud |
| Advertisements | None | Meta-linked ads |
| Integration | Connected with Zoho Mail, CRM | Connected with Instagram, Facebook |
Arattai has no ads, giving users a clean interface. While it lacks some features compared to WhatsApp, Arattai is proving to be more reliable when it comes to privacy.
Benefit of Arattai after DPDP Act 2023
With the introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) 2023 of the Government of India, the rules regarding data security have become very strict.
Under this Act:
- All data must be stored on Indian servers.
- Data cannot be sent abroad without user consent.
- Data leaks could result in fines of up to ₹250 crore.
Arattai already meets these standards. The app neither sends data abroad nor shares it with any third-party platforms. If you’re concerned about your privacy, Arattai could be a good option for you.
Growth and popularity of Arattai
Arattai saw a tremendous surge in 2025. When users in India were uneasy about WhatsApp’s policies, Arattai’s downloads increased 100-fold. In September 2025 alone, 350,000 people signed up daily, up from 3,000.
People like Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnav and Anand Mahindra were also seen using it, further boosting the app’s popularity.
While WhatsApp still holds the No. 1 position in India with over 500 million users, Arattai’s growth indicates that Indian users are now beginning to consider local alternatives.
Can Arattai replace WhatsApp?
Advantages:
- Made in India — Data is entirely on Indian servers
- No ads
- Lightweight and fast app
- Zoho’s trust and business integrations
Drawbacks:
- Text E2EE not yet fully implemented
- Small user base
- Occasionally slow performance under heavy traffic
While Arattai can’t compete with WhatsApp at the moment, it has certainly become a privacy-focused Indian alternative.
How to Keep Your Phone Cool While Gaming in 2025: Expert Tips for Gamers
Is Arattai completely free?
Yes, Arattai is a completely free messaging app. There are no subscription fees.
Does Arattai have end-to-end encryption (E2EE) like WhatsApp?
Currently, Arattai supports end-to-end encryption for calls, but full E2EE isn’t yet implemented for text messages. However, Zoho’s site claims that data is secure in India and the app manages data without sharing it.
Can I import my chats from WhatsApp to Arattai?
Yes, Arattai has hinted at introducing a feature that allows you to import WhatsApp chats into Arattai. However, the complexities, limitations, or supported formats (media, attachments, etc.) of this process are not yet fully clear to the public.
Conclusion: Made-in-India apps have a bright future
Arattai has demonstrated that India is becoming increasingly self-reliant not only in terms of its users but also in terms of technology innovation. If Zoho continues to introduce improved encryption and new features in the coming months, the app could become not only an alternative to WhatsApp but also a global messaging brand in India.
If you’ve tried Arattai, please share your experience in the comments – your feedback will strengthen this review.
