Arattai App Hits No.1 in India: A Homegrown Challenger to WhatsApp

Kokila Chokkanathan
For years, WhatsApp has been the undisputed king of instant messaging in India. But now, a new contender has entered the arena—Arattai, a homegrown messaging app, which has recently surged to the No.1 spot in India’s app charts. Here’s how it’s shaking up the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital communication space:

1️⃣ What is Arattai?

Developed by Chennai-based tech giant Zoho Corporation, Arattai (meaning “chat” in Tamil) is a secure, Indian-made messaging app. It was quietly launched during the pandemic and has steadily grown in popularity thanks to its privacy-first approach and local identity.

2️⃣ The Big Surge to No.1

In just a few months, Arattai has managed to topple global giants like whatsapp and Telegram from the charts. The app’s rise is fueled by:

· Growing privacy concerns around global platforms.

· A “Made in India” sentiment among users.

· government push for homegrown tech adoption.

3️⃣ Features That Users Love

Arattai offers all the essentials you’d expect, plus some unique additions:

· End-to-end encrypted chats & calls 🔒

· Group chats & voice/video calls

· File sharing without compression

· No ads, no data selling policy

· Integration with Zoho ecosystem for professionals

4️⃣ WhatsApp vs Arattai – The Big Faceoff

· User Base: whatsapp has 500M+ users in India; Arattai is growing rapidly.

· Privacy: Arattai claims no third-party data sharing, while whatsapp has data-faced criticism over data policies.

· Features: whatsapp leads in global reach & payments integration, but Arattai is catching up with localized features.

5️⃣ Why indians Are Downloading Arattai

· Rising digital nationalism – people want to support indian platforms.

· Better trust in Zoho’s “privacy-first” philosophy.

· Desire for an ad-free, clean user experience.

6️⃣ Challenges Ahead for Arattai

Despite its surge, Arattai data-faces hurdles:

· Convincing users to switch from WhatsApp, where their networks already exist.

· Competing with Telegram & Signal, which also market themselves as privacy-first apps.

· Scaling up infrastructure to handle millions of daily active users.

✅ Final Takeaway

Arattai’s rise to the top signals a new chapter in India’s wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital journey. While dethroning whatsapp entirely may be tough, the app proves that homegrown platforms can challenge global giants—especially when they put privacy, trust, and user experience at the center.


Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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