Arattai: The “Made in India” Chat App Taking on WhatsApp. But Should You Switch?

For over a decade, one green icon has dominated our digital conversations. But what if there was a new challenger, born right here in India, that did more than just send messages?

Enter Zoho Arattai, the messaging app that’s been making serious waves.

“Arattai” (which means “chat” in Tamil) is a new communication app from Zoho, the tech giant known for its powerful business software. Fueled by a strong “Made in India” sentiment, it has seen a massive surge in downloads.

But is it just a patriotic alternative, or is it a genuine WhatsApp killer? Let’s break down the features, privacy, and unique tools to help you decide.

What is Zoho Arattai?

At its core, Arattai is a free instant messaging app. You can text, send voice notes, make audio/video calls, and create groups—just like you’d expect.

But Arattai’s core promise is different. It’s built on two key principles:

1. A “Made in India” Promise: All your data is stored on Zoho’s own servers located within India, appealing to users concerned about data sovereignty.
2. A No-Ads-Ever Policy: Zoho is famous for its privacy-first stance. Arattai is completely ad-free and pledges not to monetize or track your personal data for advertising.

Arattai’s 3 Best Features (That WhatsApp Doesn’t Have)

This is where Arattai truly shines, moving from a simple “chat app” to a “productivity hub.”

1. The “Meetings” Tab: This isn’t just a group video call. It’s a built-in competitor to Zoom or Google Meet. You can schedule professional video conferences with up to 250 people, share your screen, and manage it all from one tab.
2. The “Pocket” Feature: Think of this as your personal, private cloud storage inside your chat app. You can save notes, files, links, photos, and reminders for yourself without having to create a “group with one person.”
3. The Android TV App: This is a unique game-changer. You can install Arattai on your Android TV to take video calls or answer messages directly from your living room.

The Big Question: What About Security?

This is the most important part of the comparison and the single biggest “catch” you need to know about.

• WhatsApp’s Security: Its main selling point is end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on everything—messages, calls, photos, and backups. This means no one, not even WhatsApp/Meta, can read your chats.
• Arattai’s Security: This is more nuanced. As of late 2025, Arattai only has E2EE for voice and video calls. Your one-on-one and group text messages are not yet end-to-end encrypted, though Zoho has promised this feature is coming.

What does this mean for you? Your Arattai text chats are secure from advertisers and third parties (thanks to Zoho’s privacy policy), but they are not yet secured with the same level of cryptographic privacy as WhatsApp’s.

Who is Arattai For?

Based on this breakdown, Arattai is perfect for specific groups of people.

• Professionals & Small Businesses: The “Meetings” and “Pocket” features are built for you. You can host client calls and organize work files without leaving your chat app.
• Students & Educators: The “Meetings” tab is a free and easy tool for online classes, and “Channels” are great for broadcasting assignments.
• Users in Rural Areas: The app is designed to be lightweight and perform well even on slower 2G/3G networks.
• “Made in India” Supporters: If you prioritize using indigenous tech and keeping your data stored locally, Arattai is the clear winner.
• The Privacy-Conscious (Ad-Haters): If you are tired of being part of Meta’s data-hungry ecosystem, Arattai’s “no-ads, no-tracking” policy is a breath of fresh air.

The Final Verdict: Should You Switch?

Zoho Arattai is not a better WhatsApp; it’s a powerful alternative.

• Stick with WhatsApp if: Your number one priority is proven, end-to-end encryption on all text messages.
• Switch to Arattai if: You want a “Made in India” app, an ad-free experience, and powerful built-in tools like “Meetings” and “Pocket”—and are willing to wait for text encryption to be fully rolled out.

For many, the best solution might be to use both. Use WhatsApp for your private personal chats and Arattai for your professional, community, and family communication.