Arattai started as a quiet experiment but has quickly grown into one of India’s most talked-about messaging platforms. Developed by Zoho Corporation, this app gained massive traction in 2025 after users began searching for alternatives to foreign-owned messengers. With its clean interface, ad-free promise, and strong focus on privacy, Arattai has positioned itself as a homegrown solution that not only competes with but in some areas improves upon WhatsApp and Telegram. The sudden rise in downloads shows how people are eager for a secure, reliable, and India-first communication tool.
For many users, Arattai feels refreshing because it strips away unnecessary clutter. Unlike other platforms that bombard users with advertisements or push additional services, this app keeps things simple and focused on communication. It has been designed with Indian internet conditions in mind, meaning it runs smoothly even on slower connections and older smartphones. At the same time, Zoho has invested heavily in infrastructure, ensuring that conversations are fast, stable, and secure. This combination of simplicity, privacy, and performance explains why Arattai has become one of the fastest-growing messaging apps in the country.
What Is Arattai?
Arattai is more than just another messaging app — it is a full communication ecosystem developed in India. The word “Arattai” comes from Tamil, meaning “casual chat,” which reflects its focus on simple, everyday conversations. However, beneath that simplicity lies a robust platform capable of handling modern communication needs, from HD calls to multi-device syncing. By focusing on privacy and offering unique features like username-based chats, Arattai has differentiated itself in a crowded marketplace where most apps still rely on phone numbers as the only way to connect.
The app’s rapid rise in 2025 can be linked to growing awareness of digital sovereignty and the need for local data storage. Many users and even institutions began recommending Arattai as a trustworthy choice because all Indian user data is stored within India. With Zoho’s strong reputation in enterprise software, users feel reassured that the app is backed by reliable infrastructure, security commitments, and a vision that goes beyond just chasing market share.
Key Features of Arattai
Messaging & Media Sharing: Arattai supports one-to-one chats, group conversations with up to 1,000 members, and broadcast channels for large audiences. Media sharing is generous, allowing files of up to 1 GB, which makes it useful for students, businesses, and professionals who need to transfer documents or videos without relying on third-party services. The inclusion of “Stories,” similar to WhatsApp’s status feature, keeps the app modern and relevant for younger audiences who are used to social-style updates.
Username Option & Performance: A standout feature is the ability to use usernames for chatting. This means you no longer need to share your mobile number with strangers or colleagues, improving privacy significantly. At the same time, the app is optimized for low-bandwidth networks, making it highly efficient on slower data connections or budget smartphones — a crucial feature in rural areas and among users with limited resources.
HD Calls, Meetings & Cross-Platform Support
Unlike many lightweight messengers, Arattai offers high-definition audio and video calls that adapt automatically to internet strength. This ensures smooth communication even during unstable connections. For users who need more than casual chats, Arattai includes a dedicated Meetings feature. This allows hosting or joining video meetings with multiple participants, making the app a hybrid tool that combines the best of WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet in one package. It’s particularly helpful for remote teams, classrooms, or families spread across different locations.
Arattai’s cross-platform support is another strength. Users can log in on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux simultaneously, with up to five devices linked at the same time. This is especially useful for professionals who switch between desktop and mobile throughout the day. Unique among messaging apps, Arattai even provides a dedicated Android TV version, allowing users to view and manage chats on a larger screen — a convenience feature that sets it apart from global competitors.
Pocket, Mentions & Productivity Tools
Pocket: The built-in Pocket feature acts as a private cloud storage space where users can save notes, links, files, and media for later. Unlike third-party apps, this is integrated directly into the messenger, making it a seamless tool for keeping important information accessible across devices. It’s especially useful for students storing notes or professionals managing quick references.
Mentions: Inspired by workplace tools like Slack, Mentions automatically gathers messages where you have been tagged. This makes it much easier to keep up with important conversations inside busy groups. Combined with broadcast channels and large group capacities, this feature helps Arattai serve not only casual users but also organizations and communities that need structured communication.
How to Use Arattai: Quick Setup
Download & Register: Getting started is simple. Search for “Arattai Messenger” on the Play Store or App Store, download it, and register with your mobile number. An OTP will verify your identity. Once inside, you can set a display name and upload a profile photo so contacts recognize you quickly.
Contacts & Username: To connect with friends, you can sync your contacts to automatically find people already on Arattai. Alternatively, you can connect using just usernames — a safer method when chatting with acquaintances or in professional circles. This flexibility makes it more versatile than WhatsApp, which depends solely on phone numbers.
Importing Chats & Multi-Device Pairing
Switching from WhatsApp is easier because Arattai supports importing chat histories. Using WhatsApp’s “Export Chat” option, you can move entire conversations directly into Arattai. This makes transitioning smoother for users worried about losing old chats. On top of that, Arattai supports pairing with multiple devices at once. By scanning a QR code in the desktop or TV app, you can link up to five devices and enjoy a continuous experience without constantly re-logging in.
For Android TV users, Arattai has created a unique big-screen experience. By installing the TV app and linking it with your phone, you can manage chats, make calls, or view shared media on your television. This makes Arattai the first Indian messaging app to fully embrace multi-device and multi-screen lifestyles.
Privacy, Security & Limitations
One of Arattai’s strongest selling points is its commitment to privacy. Unlike many competitors, Zoho does not rely on advertising or data sales for revenue. All Indian user data is stored within India, ensuring compliance with local laws and reducing exposure to foreign surveillance risks. End-to-end encryption is available for audio and video calls, with secret chats offering self-destructing, encrypted messaging for those who want maximum privacy.
However, not all features are perfect yet. Full automatic end-to-end encryption for all text messages is still being rolled out, and currently only secret chats are fully secure. Some users also report small issues like delayed OTPs or message sync lags as the app scales to millions of new downloads. Compared to mature apps like WhatsApp, Arattai also lacks built-in payments, global integrations, or a large developer ecosystem — though Zoho has hinted at continuous upgrades to close these gaps.
Practical Tips & Best Practices
If you value privacy, use the username option when chatting with strangers or in large communities to avoid sharing your phone number. For sensitive conversations, switch to secret chats, which self-destruct after a chosen time. Enable the built-in app lock to protect your account from unauthorized access and customize privacy settings to control who can add you to groups or see your online status.
Group admins can make use of Channels for announcements that don’t require replies, keeping conversations organized. Mentions are ideal for staying on top of direct tags in busy chats. For professionals and students, Pocket doubles up as a handy note-saving and media archive tool. Taken together, these features make Arattai not just a messenger, but a productivity companion tailored to Indian users’ needs.
Conclusion
Arattai combines the best of global messaging apps while staying firmly rooted in India’s digital ecosystem. Its privacy focus, large file sharing, username chats, and unique features like Android TV support make it stand out. While it still needs to expand encryption coverage and add advanced features like payments, it is already proving itself as a secure, user-friendly, and future-ready alternative. For anyone seeking a homegrown, privacy-first messenger, Arattai is worth trying out today.
Also Read: Top 5 Features Why Arattai is Better Than WhatsApp | Make In India App by Zoho
About the Author:
Harshit Raj
