arattai-the-indian-messaging-app-that-wants-to-take on-whatsapp

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 Sridhar Vembu is the founder of Zoho Corporation and the mastermind behind Arattai, a homegrown messaging app that's gaining traction in India. Vembu, a visionary entrepreneur, aims to create Indian alternatives to global tech giants.

Here's what you need to know about Arattai and Vembu's vision :

About Arattai - A messaging app that prioritizes privacy, security, and Indian innovation - Offers features like text and voice messages, audio and video calls, media and document sharing, groups, channels, and stories - Built on Zoho's 15-year-old messaging and audio-video framework - End-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, with plans to add encryption for standard messages Sridhar Vembu's Vision 

To create a self-reliant tech ecosystem in India, reducing dependence on foreign platforms - To empower rural Indian talent through tech innovation - To provide a platform that's secure, private, and built with Indian users in mind.  Why Arattai is gaining popularity - Public endorsements from government ministers and industrialists like Anand Mahindra. 

 Growing demand for homegrown tech solutions that prioritise national sovereignty and security - Rapid growth, with a 100x surge in daily sign-ups and over 7.5 million downloads.  Challenges ahead - Competing with established messaging apps like WhatsApp - Bridging feature gaps and proving long-term dependability - Converting downloads into regular usage

Let's dive into the comparison between WhatsApp and Arattai.

Key Differences - Origin: WhatsApp is a globally dominant messaging app owned by Meta, while Arattai is a homegrown Indian app developed by Zoho Corporation. - User Base: WhatsApp has 3.14 billion monthly active users worldwide, including 535.8 million users in India.

Arattai, on the other hand, has a rapidly growing user base in India, with over 350,000 daily sign-ups in September 2025.  Security: WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for all messages, calls, and media by default. Arattai provides end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, but text message encryption is still under development. Features - Multi-Device Support: Both apps allow multi-device access, but Arattai supports up to five devices, including Android.

WhatsApp allows linking accounts to four other devices without requiring the phone to be online. - Group Chats: WhatsApp allows up to 1,024 members in a group, while Arattai's limit is slightly lower, around 1,000 members. - File Sharing: Arattai supports file sharing up to 1 GB, and WhatsApp also allows sharing files, but the exact limit isn't specified. - Meetings: Arattai has a dedicated "Meetings" tab for scheduling video meetings, a feature WhatsApp currently lacks.

Accessibility and Performance - Lightweight Design: Arattai is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for older smartphones and areas with limited network bandwidth. WhatsApp, while reliable, can be more resource-intensive on older devices. - Regional Language Support: Arattai offers support for regional languages, making it more accessible to users in India.

Choosing Between WhatsApp and Arattai - Prioritise Security: If end-to-end encryption for all communications is a top priority, WhatsApp might be the better choice. - Local Data Storage: If you prefer local data storage and appreciate a homegrown Indian solution, Arattai could be a good option.

 Accessibility: If you're using older devices or operate in areas with poor network connectivity, Arattai's lightweight design might be beneficial. Ultimately, the choice between WhatsApp and Arattai depends on your individual priorities and needs. Consider factors like security, features, accessibility, and data storage when deciding which app suits you best.

Arattai, a homegrown messaging app backed by Zoho, has surpassed 7.5 million downloads on Google Play and Apple's App Store, marking a significant milestone in India's push for technological self-reliance.

This surge in downloads is attributed to the app's recent endorsements by several Union ministers and industrialist Anand Mahindra, who publicly praised the app as "secure," "easy-to-use," and "Made in India". With features like end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, multi-device support, and a user-friendly interface, Arattai is emerging as a serious indigenous alternative to WhatsApp in India