- Arattai’s explosive growth shows India’s growing confidence in local digital innovation
- The Android TV version of the app offers users flexibility that WhatsApp still lacks
- Arattai’s lightweight design makes it perfect for users with limited connectivity
Arattai Messenger has quickly become one of the most downloaded apps in the world, surpassing the 5 million mark within days of its launch.
Developed in India as part of Zoho’s new messaging platform, the sudden rise of the Insant Messenger app reflects both a groundswell of local pride and a growing interest in alternatives to established communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Messenger.
Arattai has already surpassed popular apps such as Telegram, Messenger and Snapchat, each with around 2 million downloads in the October 2025 global list.
An ambitious local rival
However, while Aratti’s download numbers look impressive, questions remain about its long-term sustainability and focus on privacy protection.
Arattai, which means “chat” in Tamil, is designed to offer an inclusive experience to users of all types of devices, particularly those with low-end smartphones and unstable internet connections.
According to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, the goal is to create a lightweight and accessible communication tool even in areas where high-speed connectivity is still limited.
The app includes standard messaging features like texting, calling, and file sharing, along with a version of Android TV, a feature WhatsApp has yet to introduce.
These capabilities have positioned Arattai as a general communications tool and potential enterprise messaging solution for smaller organizations looking for reliability without intensive data usage.
Part of Arattai’s appeal lies in its efficiency. The app has been optimized for low-bandwidth environments, ensuring that messages and calls work even in weak connectivity conditions.
This design choice has made it popular in rural and semi-urban markets, where Internet quality remains inconsistent.
By minimizing demand on resources, Zoho has opened up access to digital communication for users who might otherwise be excluded from platforms that require faster speeds or high-end devices.
This focus on accessibility gives Arattai an advantage in markets where data affordability and device capabilities still limit technology adoption.
Despite its progress, Arattai faces criticism for lacking full end-to-end encryption in text chats.
While the app offers encrypted voice and video calls, it does not yet provide full encrypted messages for standard conversations.
Instead, Zoho relies on localized data storage and promises that user data will not be shared externally.
Security experts argue that this does not meet modern privacy expectations, as server-based encryption still allows possible access to message data by third-party vendors or attackers.
For a platform that aims to rival WhatsApp, achieving complete end-to-end security is not optional; It is essential for credibility in a privacy-conscious digital world.
Through Storyboard 18 and FE technical bytes
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