Arattai App: WhatsApp Alternative Gaining Popularity
Zoho’s new messaging app Arattai App has become the center of attention in India. Dubbed as a ‘WhatsApp killer,’ it is rapidly carving out a significant presence in the Indian digital ecosystem. Following endorsements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other prominent leaders, the app’s popularity has skyrocketed, making it one of the most talked-about topics.
Arattai: A Messaging Alternative
Chennai-based Zoho Corporation launched Arattai App in 2021. The word “Arattai” in Tamil means “casual conversation” or simple chat. As simple as the name is, the app is equally easy to use. While it did not gain much traction during its initial launch, recent widespread political and social support has accelerated its user base significantly.
In just the past few weeks, Arattai App has recorded a staggering surge in numbers. Daily new sign-ups jumped from 3,000 to 350,000 within three days. Traffic on the app has increased nearly 100 times. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, with millions of users downloading it.
Key Features of Arattai and Comparison with WhatsApp
WhatsApp remains the world’s largest messaging app, but Arattai App has introduced certain features that make it particularly attractive to users. Here’s a comparison between the two apps:
| Feature | Arattai App | |
|---|---|---|
| Android TV App | Official, available directly on Google Play | Not available |
| Meetings Feature | Schedule, join, and host meetings like Google Meet and Zoom | Video calling available, but no dedicated meetings feature |
| Personal cloud storage for notes and media | Self-chat available, but no cloud storage | |
| Mentions | Slack-style feature, highlights messages where users are tagged | Not available |
| Data Privacy | Ad-free, user data not used for advertising | Ads have been introduced |
| AI Features | No AI features currently, better user control | AI features present, cannot be disabled |
| End-to-End Encryption | For calls and video, not yet for messages | Available for all chats, calls, and media |
| Device Support | Mobile, desktop, Android TV (up to 5 devices) | Mobile, desktop, no Android TV support |
Why Arattai Stands Out in the Indian Context
Arattai’s real strength lies in its “India-first approach.” The app is lightweight, consumes less battery, and works efficiently even on slow internet networks. In a country like India, where millions of users still rely on mid-range or low-end smartphones, this offers a major usability advantage.
Zoho Corporation is an Indian company, recognized globally for its software services, starting from Tamil Nadu. This “Made in India” tag has become a point of pride for both Indian users and the government.
Boost from Android TV Feature
Arattai’s Android TV feature gives it an edge over competitors. Until now, no major messaging app had an official TV app, forcing users to rely on third-party versions or workarounds.
Arattai has addressed this gap with an official app on the Play Store, enhancing the multi-device experience. Users can now chat and attend meetings not just on mobile and desktop but also directly on their TV screens.
Rapidly Growing Popularity
Several key factors have contributed to Arattai’s sudden surge in popularity:
- The foremost reason is public endorsement from the government and political leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others have encouraged the use of local, indigenous digital products.
- The second factor is Zoho’s strong brand image, as the company already provides over 100 cloud-based software tools globally.
- The third factor is its ad-free model and data privacy policy, which has earned user trust.
As a result, Arattai has secured a top spot among India-focused social media and networking apps. Its user base continues to grow by millions daily, prompting Zoho to scale its servers.
Arattai vs WhatsApp
Arattai App is now emerging as a direct competitor to WhatsApp. While WhatsApp’s strength lies in its vast user base and global reach, Arattai is quickly gaining ground locally through utility, simplicity, and security.
In India’s network ecosystem and small-phone market, Arattai’s performance is proving to be better than WhatsApp. This is why it is increasingly being called a ‘WhatsApp killer.’
Conclusion
Zoho’s Arattai app is not just a technological alternative but also a symbol of India’s self-reliant digital journey. While global giants like WhatsApp have a stronghold, Arattai has demonstrated that with the right features and domestic understanding, any Indian app can compete effectively.
Android TV support, meetings feature, cloud storage “Pocket,” Slack-like mentions tool, and an ad-free policy – all these factors have made Arattai a favorite among Indian users.
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