In the era of global tech dominance, Indian software companies are finally stepping up to challenge the giants. One of the most exciting entrants is Zoho’s Arattai — a made-in-India messaging app that’s being hailed by many as a potential “WhatsApp killer.”
Launched by Zoho Corporation, a brand known for its robust business tools, Arattai combines the simplicity of chat apps with powerful features like Meetings, Pocket, Mentions, and complete data privacy — all without intrusive ads. Here’s a detailed comparison highlighting the Top 5 features where Arattai outshines WhatsApp.
1. Meetings — Seamless Group Video Conferences
WhatsApp’s video calling feature has evolved, but it still lags behind when it comes to handling structured virtual meetings. Arattai introduces a dedicated Meetings feature, similar to Zoom and Google Meet, but integrated directly within the chat app.
- Instant meetings: Start a meeting with one tap from the bottom dock.
- Schedule meetings: Plan ahead and send meeting invites to others.
- View history: Track previous and upcoming meetings within the app.
User advantage: This eliminates the need for third-party tools. Business users, students, and teams can collaborate instantly without juggling between different apps — something WhatsApp doesn’t natively allow.
2. Pocket — Your Personal Cloud Space
While WhatsApp users often send messages to themselves to store notes or files, Arattai’s Pocket feature takes this a step further. It acts like a personal “cloud storage” area inside the app where users can save text, images, files, and links safely.
User advantage: Unlike WhatsApp’s self-chat, Pocket keeps your data organized and easily searchable, making it a smart productivity feature for students, professionals, and frequent sharers.
3. Mentions — Stay on Top of Group Conversations
Ever missed an important message in a busy WhatsApp group? Arattai’s Mentions feature solves this problem efficiently. Similar to Slack, it provides a dedicated section listing all messages where the user was mentioned, so you never lose track of a conversation.
User advantage: It saves time and ensures you can respond quickly to relevant messages — ideal for office teams, project groups, and online communities where hundreds of messages pour in daily.
4. No Ads and Data Privacy
Arattai takes privacy seriously. The app currently runs ad-free and Zoho has promised not to use user data for advertising. In contrast, WhatsApp has already begun showing ads in the Updates tab and shares user data with its parent company, Meta.
Arattai also claims that all data is stored within India, ensuring compliance with local data protection norms.
User advantage: Ad-free experience, zero distractions, and peace of mind knowing that your chats and files are not being analyzed for advertising or marketing purposes.
While Arattai offers end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, regular messages are still partially encrypted — a gap Zoho may soon address. Nevertheless, it already provides a stronger privacy commitment than WhatsApp’s ad-integrated ecosystem.
5. No Forced AI Features
In recent months, Meta has introduced several AI-driven features into WhatsApp — including AI chatbots and AI-powered search — without giving users an option to turn them off completely. Many users have found these additions unnecessary and intrusive.
In contrast, Arattai remains clean and distraction-free. There are no AI pop-ups, no chatbots, and no AI-generated suggestions interrupting your personal conversations.
User advantage: Arattai respects user choice, offering a simple, clutter-free interface. While Zoho may add AI features in the future, it’s expected to do so with user consent, not by forcing the experience.
Bonus: Made in India with a Global Vision
Zoho’s homegrown approach gives Arattai a unique edge. The app is fully developed and hosted in India, ensuring that user data stays within Indian borders. For privacy-conscious users and those who prefer supporting local technology, this makes Arattai a meaningful alternative to global messaging giants.
Comparison: Arattai vs WhatsApp at a Glance
| Feature | Arattai | |
|---|---|---|
| Video Meetings | Built-in Meetings feature with scheduling and instant join options | Basic video calls, limited participants |
| Personal Notes | ‘Pocket’ cloud space for saving files and text | Self-chat workaround only |
| Mentions | Dedicated ‘Mentions’ tab for tracking tags | No separate section for mentions |
| Privacy & Ads | Ad-free, no data sharing with third parties | Ads and data sharing with Meta |
| AI Integration | No forced AI or chatbots | AI features integrated by default, cannot be fully disabled |
Conclusion
While WhatsApp remains the most widely used messaging app globally, it has started losing its simplicity with intrusive ads, AI features, and limited innovation in core communication tools. In contrast, Arattai fills these gaps by focusing on user privacy, clean experience, productivity tools, and homegrown innovation.
With features like Meetings, Pocket, Mentions, and an ad-free promise, Arattai shows that a Made in India app can not only match but outperform a global tech giant in user-focused design. If Zoho continues its commitment to transparency and innovation, Arattai could indeed become the messaging revolution India — and perhaps the world — has been waiting for.
References
1. Mint Tech News – Arattai takes on WhatsApp (September 2025)
2. Zoho Official Blog – Arattai Features Overview
3. Gadgets360 – WhatsApp vs Arattai Comparison
4. TechRadar India – Made in India Messaging Apps Report 2025
Also Read: Top 5 Places to Watch Ravan Dahan Across India in 2025
About the Author:
Rohit Kumar
I am a skilled content writer and SEO expert with a passion for crafting engaging and informative content. I currently work at Possible11, where I contribute to the company's blog and social media channels. I am also a contributing writer for several online publications. With over 500 articles under my belt, I have a deep understanding of how to create high-quality content that resonates with readers and drives traffic. I am also an expert in SEO, and I know how to optimize content for search engines to improve its visibility. I am a valuable asset to any team, and I am always ready to take on new challenges.
