Can Zoho’s Arattai App Replace WhatsApp in India?
In this article, we’ll explore detailed information about Arattai App, developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian company that recently challenged global tech giants like WhatsApp, Microsoft, and others.
This move comes amid the ongoing India–US trade tensions, where the US imposed heavy tariffs on Indian companies and reduced the hiring of Indian professionals in major American tech firms.
What is Arattai and Can It Beat WhatsApp in India?
Arattai (meaning “chat” in Tamil) is a Made in India messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, founded by Sridhar Vembu.
Zoho is already a global SaaS (Software as a Service) leader known for creating secure, ad-free, and user-friendly software tools.
Zoho is bootstrapped, profitable, and serves 100M+ users across 150+ countries.
It’s seen as a symbol of India’s self-reliance and technological strength, offering a world-class alternative to WhatsApp.
Other Zoho Products
Zoho offers several Indian alternatives to global software:
Zoho Mail – Alternative to Gmail
Zoho Writer – Alternative to Microsoft Word
Zoho Sheet – Alternative to Excel
Zoho Show – Alternative to PowerPoint
Zoho Vani – A visual collaboration platform like Figma or Canva
Key Features of Arattai
Core Features (WhatsApp-Level)
Text messaging, voice, and video calls
Media sharing (photos, videos, and documents)
Groups (up to 1000 members)
Stories and channels for broadcasting
Unique Features
Pocket: Private space for storing personal media, notes, and links
Mentions View: Collects all user mentions (like Slack)
Meetings: Built-in video meetings with recording and scheduling options
Multi-Device Support: Up to 5 linked devices including Android TV
Public Channels: Ideal for organizations, creators, or large broadcasts
Enterprise Integration: Connects with Zoho’s larger suite of tools
Innovative Location Sharing
Unlike WhatsApp, which provides preset durations for live location sharing, Arattai offers a “Till I Reach” feature.
Users can set a destination, and the app will automatically stop sharing the location once they arrive — adding safety and convenience.
You can even pre-set destinations for upcoming trips.
Privacy & Security
- Text Chats: Currently encrypted only for “Secret Chats.” Full E2EE rollout for all chats is upcoming.
- What’s Needed: Independent audits, encryption transparency reports, and protocol disclosures to boost user trust.
- Risk: WhatsApp still has an edge with full E2EE by default.
- Voice and Video Calls: End-to-End Encrypted (E2EE)
Adoption & Network Challenge
Growth Factors:
- Strong nationalistic appeal as a “Made in India” platform
Endorsements by Indian leaders and ministers
Challenges:
Competing with WhatsApp’s 3 billion global users is tough.
Sustained success depends on daily active usage, not just downloads.
Messaging platforms thrive on network effects — users stay only if their friends stay.
Data Sovereignty & Hosting
Hosted entirely in India:
Not reliant on foreign cloud providers like AWS or Azure
User data stored in Zoho’s Indian data centers (Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi)
This ensures faster performance and data localization compliance
Advantage: Strengthens the “Swadeshi” (self-reliant) image and builds trust among government, corporate, and privacy-conscious users.
Business Model & Future Growth
Zoho’s biggest strength is that it’s profitable and privately owned, meaning no pressure for quick monetization.
Zoho’s biggest strength is that it’s profitable and privately owned, meaning no pressure for quick monetization.
No ads, no tracking — completely ad-free
Future plans may include:
Premium enterprise features
Verified business accounts
Integration with other Zoho apps
Conclusion
Arattai represents the rise of India’s homegrown digital innovation.
It’s not just an alternative to WhatsApp — it’s a symbol of India’s tech independence and the growing global footprint of Zoho.
While replacing WhatsApp entirely will be challenging, Arattai shows India is ready to lead, not just follow.
