India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai has surged to the top of India’s app store charts, momentarily surpassing WhatsApp. Developed by Chennai-based Zoho, Arattai means “casual chat” in Tamil and aims to become a secure, user-friendly alternative to the dominant global chat platforms.
What is Arattai?
Arattai supports one-to-one and group messaging with text, voice notes, and media sharing. It also offers audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption, currently available for calls but still being developed for chats. The app works smoothly on multiple devices, including smartphones, desktops, and even Android TVs, making it accessible across many platforms. Its focus on privacy is a strong selling point, as Zoho assures users that personal data will not be monetized or shared with third parties.
Government Support Drives Popularity
The recent endorsement from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged Indians to consider Arattai as a “secure and free” domestic alternative. This push aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swadeshi campaign encouraging support for indigenous technology. This endorsement has fueled downloads and interest, pushing Arattai to the No. 1 spot in the social networking category on app stores.
Why Arattai Matters
Unlike global giants like WhatsApp, which reportedly handles over 500 million users in India alone, Arattai offers a privacy-first approach without advertising or data selling. It is optimized for low-end smartphones and low bandwidth networks, targeting users in rural and semi-urban areas who face connectivity challenges. Zoho’s CEO Sridhar Vembu highlights the app’s lightweight design and commitment to an inclusive digital experience.
Current Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the hype, Arattai faces hurdles. Its servers have struggled with the sudden traffic spike, causing sign-up delays and message syncing issues. Zoho has confirmed they are working hard to expand server capacity over the coming days. Another limitation is that end-to-end encryption for chat messages is still in development, which may influence user trust compared to WhatsApp’s fully encrypted messages. Whether Arattai can maintain its momentum and convert downloads into long-term usage remains to be seen.
