Arattai vs WhatsApp: Can India’s Messaging App Take On Meta’s Giant?
Arattai vs WhatsApp — Can Zoho’s homegrown app beat Meta’s giant? Explore features, security, privacy, and whether Arattai can outclass WhatsApp in India.
Arattai, Zoho’s Indian-made messaging app, is gaining traction with unique features and privacy promises, challenging WhatsApp’s dominance in India.
For years, WhatsApp has dominated India’s instant messaging market, becoming the go-to app for personal chats, business communication, and community groups. But now, a homegrown challenger — Arattai, developed by Zoho Corporation — is making waves, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to support local products.
The app, which launched in 2021, has seen a 100X surge in downloads and active users, recently topping the Apple App Store charts in India. The question now is: Can Arattai really dethrone WhatsApp?
Arattai vs WhatsApp: Key Similarities
Both apps offer the core messaging features that users expect:
- Instant messaging
- Voice notes
- Voice and video calling
- Media sharing
But while the basics remain the same, Arattai is betting on unique features to differentiate itself.
Unique Features That Give Arattai an Edge
- Pocket Feature: Users can save notes, videos, images, and even set reminders — something WhatsApp doesn’t offer.
- Meetings Tab: Built-in video meeting scheduling, similar to Zoom or Google Meet.
- Multi-Device Access: Supports up to five devices simultaneously, including Android TVs, surpassing WhatsApp’s multi-device setup.
- Low-Bandwidth Support: Optimized for entry-level smartphones and even works on 2G/3G networks, making it highly accessible in India's tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
- Privacy Promise: Zoho has assured that no personal data would be used for ads, unlike Meta-owned WhatsApp.
Where WhatsApp Still Leads
Despite Arattai’s growth, WhatsApp maintains an advantage in security. Its end-to-end encryption for chats and calls is globally trusted. Arattai, meanwhile, currently lacks this feature — though Zoho has promised to roll it out soon.
The Road Ahead
Arattai, with its India-first philosophy, lightweight design, and user-friendly features, has positioned itself as the serious contender for WhatsApp. While WhatsApp enjoys unmatched scale, Arattai's focus on privacy, accessibility, and innovation might well make it the preferred messaging application for millions of Indians in the coming years.
