Arattai App vs WhatsApp: Can India’s Messaging App Win Over Users? What is Arattai App?

Arattai App vs WhatsApp

Arattai and WhatsApp are two popular messaging platforms, but they cater to different user needs and preferences. Arattai, developed by Zoho, is a growing Indian app that focuses on privacy and performance. It offers end-to-end encryption for calls, although incoming text messages are not encrypted.

The app shines with its ability to work well on low-end devices and in areas with low bandwidth, making it a great choice for users in regions where internet speeds may not be the fastest.

Arattai doesn’t rely on ads or sell user data, emphasizing privacy. It also stores all user data in India, complying with local data regulations. The app supports a wide range of Indian languages and includes multi-device support, including Android TV and desktop. However, its group chat size is capped at 1,000 members, and its user base is still growing, with a focus on India.

WhatsApp, on the other hand, is a global leader in messaging, owned by Meta. With over 3 billion global users and 500 million users in India, WhatsApp is the app of choice for people around the world. It offers end-to-end encryption for all chats and calls, ensuring the highest level of security. WhatsApp supports a vast range of languages, including Indian languages, and allows up to 1,024 members in group chats.

While the platform does support ads and data monetization, it remains widely trusted for its reliability, regular updates, and features like real-time message translation. WhatsApp’s performance is generally excellent, but it’s not as optimized for low-bandwidth areas as Arattai. It does not offer an Android TV app, though it provides excellent multi-device support otherwise.

Arattai is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a privacy-focused, India-centric app that works well on low-end devices and doesn’t monetize your data. However, if you need a globally recognized platform with a massive user base, more advanced features, and the security of end-to-end encryption across all chats, WhatsApp remains the dominant choice.

Both apps offer great features, but which one you choose depends on your priorities—whether it’s privacy and local optimization with Arattai or global reach and feature-rich experience with WhatsApp.

Can India’s Messaging App Win Over Users?

Arattai could win Indian users, but only if it solves a big puzzle: why should people leave a place where all their friends are already hanging out? The answer, so far, is mostly emotional—local pride, data privacy, and maybe a pinch of anti-Facebook sentiment.

Arattai’s main hope lies in:

• Trust: Indians are increasingly annoyed by global tech giants pushing their own rules. Arattai, made by India’s Zoho, feels like “ours.” Not some California server processing my tea-time gossip.
• Features: The basics are there—chat, calls, stickers, privacy. No annoying algorithms have hijacked my chats... yet.
• Word of mouth: If enough small-town groups, coaching circles, or political communities make the switch, it could snowball.

But—here’s the catch—most folks won’t move until their whole family or cricket team does. Until then, Arattai’s victory will be partial. You’ll see local colleges use it to coordinate exams, but your main WhatsApp will stay busy.

What is Arattai App?

Arattai is a homegrown Indian messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, designed as a secure, easy-to-use alternative to global chat platforms like WhatsApp. Its name means “casual chat” in Tamil, and it’s built to serve everyday messaging needs—from personal chit-chat and group discussions to voice and video calls. The app recently gained massive popularity after top government officials endorsed it as a “Swadeshi” choice, emphasizing privacy, local data storage, and reduced reliance on foreign apps.

"Arattai has been the #1 in Social Networking on the App Store"

Key features include:

• Text and voice messaging.
• Audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption.
• Group chats for up to 1,000 members and channel-based broadcasts.
• Sharing of images, documents, stories (temporary posts), and more.
• Multi-device support across phones, desktops, and Android TV.
• Data stored in India, supporting privacy laws and digital sovereignty.
• Native support for Indian languages and optimal performance on slow networks.

Arattai vs WhatsApp: Feature Comparison