Discover the Arattai app, India’s homegrown WhatsApp alternative developed by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu. Learn about its features, rise in popularity, and how this “Made in India” chat app is reshaping the nation’s digital communication.
Introduction
India is witnessing a digital transformation, and one app making big waves is Arattai, a homegrown messaging platform developed by Zoho Corporation. Within a short time, the app has become one of the fastest-growing chat platforms, offering a secure, private, and Indian-built alternative to WhatsApp.
What is Arattai?
True to its name, the word “Arattai” means “chat” in Tamil, and users are interested in whether this name will appeal to non-Tamil speakers. Many appreciate the cultural touch and the idea of promoting Indian languages through technology. It lets users send messages, share photos, videos, and files, make voice and video calls, and even host meetings. Arattai also allows WhatsApp chat migration, and it runs smoothly across multiple devices, including smartphones, desktops, and Android TVs.
Who Created the Arattai App?
Arattai was created by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s leading tech companies. It was developed under the leadership of Sridhar Vembu, the company’s visionary founder, who wanted to give Indian users a secure and privacy-focused chat app made entirely in India.
About Sridhar Vembu—The Visionary Behind Arattai
Sridhar Vembu, born in 1968 in Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs. He studied at IIT Madras and earned his PhD from Princeton University. In 1996, he co-founded AdventNet, later known as Zoho Corporation, which now serves over 100 million users worldwide.
Vembu is known for his rural innovation model—he operates Zoho from a small village near Tenkasi, where he trains and employs local youth in technology. His mission is to make India self-reliant in software and empower rural communities through education and digital access. In recognition of his work, he received the Padma Shri Award in 2021. Vembu is globally recognized for promoting rural innovation and self-reliant technology in India.
Why is Arattai booming in India?
Arattai’s rise is fueled by a combination of privacy, innovation, and patriotism:
- Privacy First: Arattai ensures end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, giving users more control over their data.
- Made in India Movement: Users love supporting Indian-made apps that promote digital independence.
- Government Encouragement: Several Indian leaders have urged citizens to use local apps.
- Feature-Rich Experience: It offers group chats, stories, chat migration, and even an Android TV app—something most global apps don’t provide.
- Lightweight & Reliable: It works well on low-end phones and slower networks, making it ideal for Indian conditions.
Key Features of Arattai
- Free text, voice, and video messaging
- Group chats and “Stories”
- “Pocket” feature to save important messages
- “Meetings” for group video calls
- End-to-end encryption for calls
- Seamless use across devices including Android TV
🚀 What Drives Arattai to the Top
🇮🇳 Arattai’s rapid growth is fueled by India’s love for homegrown apps. Built by Zoho, it combines privacy, speed, and simplicity, making it appealing to users across cities and villages. The “Made in India” pride and Sridhar Vembu’s credibility are key factors behind its rising popularity.
🏛️ Ministers who—Unionorted Arattai
- Piyush Goyal—Union Minister for Commerce & Industry—joined Arattai and praised it as a #MadeInIndia product.
Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.
- Dharmendra Pradhan—Union Education Minister—encouraged people to use Arattai, calling it “free, easy-to-use, secure, and safe,” and tied it to the Swadeshi (local) movement.
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- Ashwini Vaishnaw—Minister for Electronics & IT—also endorsed it and switched to Zoho’s office tools, using them in official settings.
- Nirmala Sitharaman—mentioned among ministers endorsing local tech (Zoho’s products, including Arattai) in broader statements about digital sovereignty.
🌟 Famous people / Industry leaders
- Anand Mahindra—businessman/industrialist—publicly said he downloaded the Arattai app and showed support.
- Radhika Gupta—MD & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund—said, “Happy to be a user … a big believer in made-in-India brands.
🌍 No Trump Factor Behind Its Popularity
There’s no international or “Trump factor” promoting Arattai. Its success is entirely driven by Indian users who prefer local, ad-free, and secure platforms. The app’s growth story reflects India’s increasing digital confidence and the public’s support for self-reliant, privacy-focused Indian innovations.
📣 Influencer and Media Promotion
Arattai’s buzz is spreading through tech influencers, YouTubers, and Indian media outlets praising its performance and local roots. Though not a paid campaign, its popularity grows through organic word-of-mouth and social media trends highlighting it as a promising alternative to foreign messaging apps.
💡 Key Factors Influencing Arattai’s Growth
Several factors fuel Arattai’s success: strong data protection, Indian server storage, an ad-free experience, and reliable performance even on slow networks. Its easy interface, focus on user privacy, and patriotic appeal align perfectly with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, encouraging users to switch from foreign apps.
🇮🇳 Modi’s Vision and the Atmanirbhar Movement
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi hasn’t directly tweeted about Arattai, his “Digital India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives have inspired apps like it. The national call for self-reliance in technology motivates developers like Sridhar Vembu to create secure, world-class apps proudly made in India.
📈 Arattai Crosses 7.5 Million Downloads in India
According to The Economic Times, the Arattai app has surpassed 7.5 million downloads across Google Play and the Apple App Store as of October 2025. Backed by Zoho, the app’s growth reflects India’s strong support for homegrown technology and rising trust in privacy-focused, made-in-India communication platforms.
latest user interest and trending technology. out the Arattai app
🔒 Privacy and Security Concerns
Many users are curious whether Arattai offers end-to-end encryption like WhatsApp and Signal. Currently, it supports secure messaging but lacks full encryption for all chat types. However, Zoho has confirmed that enhanced privacy features are under development.
📱 Comparison with WhatsApp
People often search “Arattai vs WhatsApp” to know which is better. Arattai offers multi-device login, group chats, and file sharing, but users note it still lacks a few advanced tools that WhatsApp provides. The app is improving with each update and focuses on simplicity and privacy.
💰 Free and Ad-Free Experience
A big attraction is that Arattai is completely free and ad-free. Users appreciate that the app doesn’t collect or sell personal data, making it a trusted choice for those who want a clean, private chatting experience.
🌐 Performance in Rural Areas
Because Arattai is built by Zoho—a company deeply connected to India’s rural ecosystem—users report that it performs smoothly on slow internet and low-end phones. This gives it an advantage in rural and semi-urban regions.
“Made in India” Factor
Searches around “Arattai made in India app” are trending. People love that it’s developed entirely in India by Zoho Corporation, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) movement. This patriotic connection boosts user interest and trust.
⚙️ Missing Features
Some users want to know what Arattai lacks compared to WhatsApp—for example, business tools, backup options, and advanced encryption. However, Zoho’s team has hinted that these features will be added gradually.
🧠 User Trust and Adoption
People are curious whether Arattai can retain users after the initial excitement. It’s gaining loyal followers who prefer privacy and simplicity over fancy features. Trust in Sridhar Vembu’s brand ethics helps sustain its popularity.
🗄️ Data Location and Security
Users often ask where Arattai stores their data. The company has confirmed that all servers are based in India, ensuring compliance with national data protection standards and giving users more control over their digital privacy.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Arattai faces stiff competition from global giants like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. While it’s growing rapidly, it must continue improving features and security to maintain user trust. However, its quick rise shows that Indians are eager for apps built in India, for India.
Conclusion
Arattai is more than just a chat app—it’s a symbol of India’s growing technological confidence and independence. Led by Sridhar Vembu’s vision and powered by Zoho’s innovation, Arattai proves that India can create secure, reliable, and world-class digital products. Whether it replaces WhatsApp or not, Arattai has already started a new chapter in India’s digital journey.