The world of instant messaging in India is changing. A new name is on everyone’s lips: Arattai. (This name means “casual chat” in Tamil.) Zoho Corporation, a Chennai-based tech giant, developed the app.
This homegrown platform has quickly soared to the top of app store charts. The app positions itself as a credible, privacy-focused alternative to global platforms like WhatsApp.
Have you seen the app trending? Are you wondering what the fuss is all about?
Here is your complete guide to Arattai, covering everything from its origins to its latest features.
Who Founded Arattai and When?
Arattai Messenger is a Made-in-India messaging application developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian multinational technology company.
Founder: The visionary behind the app is Sridhar Vembu, the founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation. He champions the philosophy of building world-class technology from rural India. Additionally, Zoho roots and bases a significant part of its operation in Tamil Nadu, India (specifically the region of Tenkasi).
Developer: Zoho Corporation, headquartered in Chennai, India.
Initial Release: The app was soft-launched in January 2021. Its development aligned with Vembu’s vision of creating Indian alternatives to global tech giants and coincided with public concern over major global messaging apps’ privacy policies.
Meaning of the name “Arattai” – It is a Tamil language word meaning “casual chat.”
Zoho’s co-founder and Chief Scientist, Sridhar Vembu, closely associates the app’s rise with his public championing of the homegrown technology and its commitment to user privacy and digital sovereignty.
Why is Arattai Trending Right Now?
Arattai’s recent viral surge can be attributed to a perfect storm of factors:
- The ‘Made-in-India’ Push: The app’s success aligns with a broader national movement to promote and adopt indigenous tech products. This sense of pride has led to a significant increase in downloads.
- High-Profile Endorsements: Union Ministers, including Dharmendra Pradhan and Piyush Goyal, and prominent industrialists like Anand Mahindra, have publicly encouraged its use, giving the platform massive visibility and credibility.
- Privacy Concerns: In an era of AI anxieties, spyware scandals, and scrutiny of Big Tech’s data practices, Arattai’s promise of a “spyware-free, made-in-India messenger” with data stored only on Indian data centers has strongly resonated with users seeking a privacy-first experience.
- Optimized for India: Zoho designed the app to be specifically lightweight, perform well on low-end devices, and function reliably on slower, low-bandwidth networks, ensuring high accessibility across rural and resource-constrained areas of India.
Key Features That Make Arattai Stand Out
Arattai includes all the standard messaging features you expect, such as text and voice messages, media sharing, and group chats (up to 1,000 members), but it also offers several unique capabilities:
| Feature | Description |
| Meetings | A dedicated in-app feature that allows users to create, join, and schedule video conference meetings similar to Google Meet or Zoom, all from within the messenger. |
| A private, personal storage space (cloud storage) for the user to save notes, media, and reminders, similar to chatting with yourself but in a more organized way. | |
| Mentions Tab | A dedicated section, much like in Slack, that collects all messages where a user has been explicitly mentioned (@username), making it easy to track important notifications. |
| Android TV App | Unlike most rivals, Arattai offers an official, dedicated app for Android TV, enhancing its multi-device versatility. |
| No Ads | Arattai is completely ad-free and assures users that their data is not used for advertising or shared with third parties. |
| Optimised Performance | Built to be lightweight, it consumes minimal data and works smoothly on low-end smartphones and slow internet connections. |
Is Arattai a Threat to WhatsApp?
Arattai has generated significant buzz and achieved milestone downloads, but its ability to unseat WhatsApp’s dominance in India is a complex question.
| Arattai’s Strengths (The Threat) | Arattai’s Current Disadvantages |
| Privacy & Sovereignty: No ads, no data monetization, and data storage in India strongly appeals to users wary of Meta’s data practices. | Encryption Gap: A major drawback is that text messages lack full end-to-end encryption (only voice and video calls offer it). WhatsApp provides E2EE for all communications by default. |
| Local Focus: Optimisation for low-end devices and poor connectivity gives the app a significant advantage in emerging and rural markets. | Network Effect: WhatsApp maintains over half a billion users in India. Encouraging millions of users to switch their entire social and professional network remains the biggest hurdle. |
| Business Features: The integrated ‘Meetings’ and ‘Channels’ features provide a strong base for professional and community use. | Scaling Issues: The sudden surge in users created “growing pains,” with users reporting delayed OTPs and slower contact sync as the company scrambles to expand server capacity. |
Latest News on Arattai
The rapid rise of Arattai continues to generate headlines:
- Encryption Rollout Imminent: Zoho CEO Mani Vembu confirms the company actively develops end-to-end encryption for text chats. Although the app offers the feature as an opt-in “secret chat” currently, Zoho will soon roll it out to all users by default.
- AI Features Planned: Zoho is exploring the integration of AI features into the app, potentially utilizing its proprietary Zia AI large language model. These features could include helping users compose replies or flagging messages, all while maintaining the commitment to privacy by keeping the AI operations within Zoho’s private cloud.
- 7.5 Million Downloads: As of early October 2025, the app had crossed 7.5 million total downloads, showcasing a massive surge in adoption.
Where to Download Arattai
The Arattai messaging app is available for various platforms. Here are the relevant download pointers:
- Official Download Page (All Platforms):
https://www.arattai.in/download.html – This page provides all direct installers and links for mobile, desktop, and other versions. - Android (Mobile/Tablet):
Google Play Store: Search for “Arattai Messenger” by Zoho Corporation.
Arattai Messenger on Google Play - iOS (iPhone/iPad) & Mac:
Apple App Store: Search for “Arattai Messenger” by Zoho Corporation.
Arattai Messenger on the Apple App Store - Windows Desktop (PC):
Microsoft Store: Arattai on Microsoft Store
Direct download links (32-bit and 64-bit) are also available on the official download page. - Linux Desktop:
Official Download Page: Look for direct download options for distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora on the main Arattai download page. - Android TV:
Google Play Store (for TV): Search for “Arattai – Secure Communication”.
Arattai – Secure Communication on Google Play (for TV)
Important Note: It is always recommended to download the app directly from the official stores (Google Play, Apple App Store, Microsoft Store) or the official company website to ensure you get the legitimate and secure version.
Conclusion: Arattai is a robust, India-first challenger with superior privacy policies and unique features. However, until it implements full end-to-end encryption for all text chats, it will struggle to be considered a true threat to WhatsApp’s security standards and global network effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Arattai app?
Arattai is a free, instant messaging and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) application developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian tech giant. It is positioned as a Made-in-India alternative to global chat apps, offering secure messaging, audio/video calls, and unique features like Pocket and Meetings. The name “Arattai” means “casual chat” in Tamil.
Is the Arattai app free to use?
Yes, Arattai is a completely free messaging application for personal use, allowing you to connect with friends and family without any subscription fees.
What are Arattai’s unique features that set it apart?
Arattai offers several distinctive features:
Android TV App: It is one of the few messaging apps that offers a dedicated application for Android TV.
Pocket: A private, personal cloud chat space within the app for saving notes, links, and media files, similar to a secure private drive.
Meetings: A dedicated, integrated feature for video conferencing, comparable to tools like Zoom or Google Meet, supporting a large number of participants.
Ad-Free Experience: Arattai promises an interface completely free of advertisements and commits to not monetizing user data for commercial purposes.
Mentions Tab: A dedicated area that collects all messages where you have been mentioned in group chats, making it easy to track important notifications.
What is the maximum group size on Arattai?
Arattai supports group chats with up to 1,000 participants, making it suitable for large communities, organizations, and educational groups.
Is Arattai safe and secure to use?
Arattai emphasizes a strong commitment to user privacy and digital sovereignty. Key security features include:
No Third-Party Data Sharing: Zoho asserts that user data is not sold or shared with third-party advertisers.
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): All voice and video calls are fully end-to-end encrypted. Full E2EE for text messages is a feature the developers are actively rolling out.
Data Localization: All Indian user data is stored on servers located in India, ensuring compliance with local data protection norms.
Does Arattai use End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) for all messages?
Currently, audio and video calls are end-to-end encrypted. Full end-to-end encryption for text messages is being actively rolled out by the developers.
Can I use Arattai on multiple devices simultaneously?
Yes, Arattai offers multi-device support, allowing you to use the app across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Your messages and settings will be synced seamlessly.
Can I import my existing WhatsApp chats to Arattai?
Yes, Arattai supports a feature to import chats from WhatsApp. You can export individual and group chats from WhatsApp’s settings and then select Arattai as the target app to complete the migration.
Is there an Arattai app for desktop and web access?
Yes, Arattai offers support for desktop (PC/Mac) and a web version, ensuring you can continue your conversations across various platforms.
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