Arattai App: Made-in-India WhatsApp Alternative | Features, Meaning & Why It’s Trending

India’s push for Swadeshi technology just got a big boost. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently endorsed Arattai, a Made-in-India messaging app, calling it a secure and user-friendly alternative to global platforms like WhatsApp.

Developed by Zoho Corporation, the Chennai-based software giant, Arattai has been designed to keep conversations simple, safe, and truly local.

What Does “Arattai” Mean?

The name Arattai comes from Tamil, meaning “casual chat.” And that’s exactly the vibe this app aims to create—an easy, everyday messaging experience for Indians.

Key Features of Arattai

Private & Group Chats – Smooth, clutter-free messaging experience

Voice & Video Calls – With end-to-end encryption for calls

Media Sharing – Share images, videos, files, and documents instantly

Stories & Channels – Just like WhatsApp Status and Broadcasts

Business Tools – Engage and interact with customers directly

How Arattai Differs from WhatsApp

While both apps offer voice/video calling and group messaging, there’s one major difference:

👉 WhatsApp encrypts all messages by default, but Arattai currently provides end-to-end encryption only for calls.

Why It’s in the Spotlight

The buzz around Arattai grew after Dharmendra Pradhan’s post on X (formerly Twitter), where he urged Indians to adopt Swadeshi apps. He described Arattai as “free, easy-to-use, secure, safe and Made in India.”

Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also highlighted Zoho’s products in a Cabinet briefing, further strengthening the government’s push toward homegrown digital solutions.

With Arattai, Zoho isn’t just offering another chat app—it’s giving India a platform built on local roots, designed for both personal and business communication. While privacy concerns around message encryption remain, its Swadeshi identity and feature-rich experience could make it a serious contender in India’s messaging app space.