Most people probably can’t imagine their daily lives without WhatsApp even for a second. WhatsApp has become part of our digital DNA, whether it is memes, family news, work messages, or that one “good morning” text from your parents, right? However, recently, there has been a question hovering around: “Do we really have a good Indian alternative to WhatsApp?”
Arattai is just the thing to step in and take over the conversation, not only metaphorically but also literally!
Maybe you have come across the rumor that is being whispered on the internet or in the news, especially when people were concerned about privacy and data sharing on WhatsApp. Arattai is being talked about as the Made-in-India messaging app that could give WhatsApp some serious competition. But is it really the one to replace WhatsApp with a new one on our devices?
We are going to find out all the details from the origin of Arattai and the differences between it and WhatsApp to what Arattai improves and what still remains. Get your chai and let’s uncover this Indian tech saga that’s making waves.
The Story Behind Arattai
Arattai, which translates to “chat” in Tamil, is an app that has not been made with the sole intention of riding a fad wave. It is a product of Zoho Corporation, which is an internationally acclaimed Indian software company located in Chennai. The creator of Zoho, Sridhar Vembu, is identified by his concept of fabricating self-supporting technology in India, and thus, Arattai is one among them.
The app got a low-key debut in 2021, but it gained a lot of traction soon after WhatsApp implemented its controversial privacy policy update, the one that sparked confusion and anxiety among users about their data being shared with Facebook (Meta). That’s when a lot of Indians began saying, “Why not use a locally made product that respects our privacy?”
In fact, that mere notion of chatting without the constant fear of surveillance turned out to be Arattai’s greatest advantage.
A Familiar Yet Fresh Experience
If the thought of using Arattai is learning a new app entirely, then you can take a deep breath and let it go. The very first thing you will find out once you open Arattai is its closeness to what you already know. It’s very much like WhatsApp in the way of its interface but with less disturbance.
You have:
- Chat lists that are easy to read
- Smooth navigation
- A simple media sharing system
- Voice and video call features
It makes you feel very comfortable right from the start. There is no steep learning curve, and that is what makes it attractive; it gives you a feeling of “home” while at the same time being a very refreshing Indian.
In addition, the app is also a great success on cheap Android phones, which is a big advantage in a country where not everyone has a high-end smartphone. It is light, quick, and does not use up your battery like some heavy apps.
Arattai vs WhatsApp: The Real Comparison
Now comes the fun part: how does Arattai actually compare with WhatsApp?
| Category | Arattai | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Made in India (Zoho Corporation) | Owned by Meta (USA) |
| Voice/Video Calls | Yes | Yes |
| Group Chats | Up to 1000 members | Up to 1024 members |
| Media Sharing | Photos, files, documents | Photos, videos, documents |
| Cloud Backup | Available (Indian servers) | Google Drive / iCloud |
| Privacy Policy | No third-party data sharing | Shares metadata with Meta |
| Ads | No ads | Potential for Meta-based promotions |
| Multi-device Support | Coming soon | Available |
| File Sharing Limit | Up to 1 GB | Up to 100 MB |
| Language Support | Multiple Indian languages | Limited |
So, while WhatsApp may still lead in terms of international features like multi-device login, Arattai scores high on privacy, data storage, and that “local app feel.”
Check: Zoho vs Google Workspace: Which One is Better for Your Business?
Privacy: The Heart of Arattai’s Mission
Honestly, privacy is the number one factor that will make a user look for a WhatsApp alternative.
Arattai to the rescue offers the very thing which is wanted by all the members of the human race: the full protection of their files. Although WhatsApp continues to hold some metadata on its worldwide servers and is an affiliate of the Meta ecosystem, Arattai is completely safe in the locality of India with your data.
Moreover, Zoho has also come out in the open to declare that it is not engaged in the selling of the user’s data, does not advertise, and doesn’t keep track of the user’s habits. Your conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption, so no one, not even Arattai, will have access to your correspondence.
This type of data privacy gives people the feeling of being confident and responsible. So, you are not just one more user whose data is collected from a giant global network; in fact, you are a respected user of a safe and secure Indian ecosystem.
Performance: Does It Work Smoothly?
A new application is generally expected to be slow or cease working at times, but the performance of Arattai is surprisingly good. Arattai is a lightweight application that, even in places with weak signals, runs smoothly and loads quickly, making the sent messages reach their recipients without delay.
Voice and video calls have good quality and are reliable, but sometimes, on a slow connection, you may see that the quality is a bit lower, but still, it is not a big problem. The most attractive feature? It is not like other foreign apps, which are heavy on your phone’s storage or RAM.
Basically, it is enough that Arattai lacks those features that are prominent in WhatsApp and welcomes you with the provision of all the necessary ones, and it is done by using the most efficient way.
Special Features That Make Arattai Shine
What’s new is that Arattai is not a copy of WhatsApp as it used to be, but it has some small and smart things that make it noticeable:
- Offline Chat Support: You can input messages in offline mode, and they will be delivered automatically when the connection is restored.
- Larger File Sharing (up to 1 GB): Anyone can do it, students, workers, or simply people who want to share large files.
- Team Collaboration Options: Since Zoho has been in the business of creating tools for businesses, the features of Arattai for office communication are what you expect.
- Ad-Free Interface: There are no irritating advertisements that force you to leave the chatting area, change the focus, or upgrade your account.
- Smart Notifications: Decide which conversations will be the most important to you and the rest will be muted.
Presently, these facilities bring to the fore the concept that Arattai is an up-to-date, sensible, and truly localised app for Indian users.
Challenges Arattai Still Faces
It goes without saying that every app has to face its own set of obstacles, and so does Arattai.
Some of the areas where it still needs to improve are:
- Limited User Base: WhatsApp is powerful because it has a huge global community. Arattai still has to get more users, especially those who are not tech-savvy.
- Multi-Device Sync: Arattai’s multi-device feature is different from WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop; hence, it is still under development.
- Payment Integration: WhatsApp Pay is the most popular payment method in India. Arattai does not have such a feature yet.
- International Reach: Suppose you have friends who live in different countries; likely, they are not on Arattai.
If you think about Zoho’s history, you can be sure that these holes will be fixed sooner or later by the updates that come at regular intervals.
So, is it worth switching?
The honest truth is, it’s mostly about what you care most about.
If you are a person who:
- Really cares about privacy
- Likes to support Indian-made technology
- Would have liked a simpler and less intrusive chatting experience
In that case, there is no doubt that Arattai is the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are someone who is heavily dependent on international contacts, WhatsApp groups, or business apps, you might not be ready to say goodbye to WhatsApp completely, at least not now.
However, you can still have both! WhatsApp can be your tool for communicating with the outside world, and Arattai can be your personal, private, or work-related chats.
Conclusion
Arattai is not simply an app; it is a shift to digital self-reliance. It indicates that Indian companies are capable of producing technology that is not only secure and user-friendly but also at a level that is comparable to the big international players. Of course, it is still in its early stages, but every successful platform has to begin somewhere. Do you remember when WhatsApp was used by only a handful of people? If so, then maybe it is time that we give Arattai not only for the sake of our convenience but also to have a look at the things that India can create. Because, in the future, when someone asks you, “Are you on WhatsApp?” you could just smile and say, “No, I’m on Arattai, it’s Made in India.”
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