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{{ | {{Short description|Messaging service}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date= | {{Use Indian English|date=September 2025}} | ||
{{Infobox software | {{Infobox software | ||
| name | | name = Arattai | ||
| logo = Arattai_logo.svg | |||
| logo = Arattai_logo. | | logo_size = 220px | ||
| logo_size = | | developer = [[Zoho Corporation]] | ||
| developer = [[Zoho Corporation]] | | released = {{Start date and age|2021|01}} | ||
| released = {{Start date and age|2021|01}} | | ver layout = stacked | ||
| ver layout = stacked | |||
| latest release version = {{Multiple releases | | latest release version = {{Multiple releases | ||
| branch1 | | branch1 = Android | ||
| version1 | | version1 = 1.31.3 | ||
| date1 | | date1 = {{start date and age|2025|10|05}} | ||
| branch2 | | branch2 = iOS | ||
| version2 | | version2 = 1.17.13 | ||
| date2 | | date2 = {{start date and age|2025|09|22}} | ||
}} | |||
| operating system = {{plainlist| | |||
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]] | |||
* [[iOS]] | |||
* [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] | |||
* [[macOS]] | |||
* [[Linux]] | |||
* [[watchOS]] | |||
}} | |||
| genre = {{plainlist| | |||
* [[Voice over IP]] (VoIP) | |||
* [[Instant messaging]] | |||
* [[Video chat]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
| website = {{URL|https://www.arattai.in}} | |||
| website = {{URL|https://www. | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Arattai Messenger''' or simply '''Arattai | '''Arattai Messenger''' (or simply '''Arattai''') is an [[encryption|encrypted]] messaging service for [[instant messaging]], [[Telephone call|voice calls]], and [[Videotelephony|video calls]], developed by [[Zoho Corporation]]. The name ''Arattai'' means "chat" or "conversation" in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. The app was soft-launched in January 2021.<ref name="ET2021">{{cite news |last=Chandrashekhar |first=Anandi |title=Zoho positions its Arattai app as WhatsApp rival amid user exodus |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/zoho-positions-its-arattai-app-as-whatsapp-rival-amid-user-exodus/articleshow/80217003.cms |access-date=13 January 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 January 2021}}</ref> The app saw a sharp surge in downloads in September 2025, partially fueled by endorsements from Indian government officials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=We don't use AWS or Azure: Sridhar Vembu clears air on Arattai, Zoho's desi tech backbone |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/we-dont-use-aws-or-azure-sridhar-vembu-clears-air-on-arattai-zohos-desi-tech-backbone-496250-2025-09-30 |website=Business Today |publisher=India Today Group |date=30 September 2025 |access-date=30 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zoho's Arattai messaging app tops app stores as downloads surge 100x |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/zohos-arattai-messaging-app-tops-app-stores-as-downloads-surge-100x/articleshow/124213067.cms |website=The Times of India |publisher=Times Internet |date=30 September 2025 |access-date=30 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Zoho’s Arattai: How to install it and five features that stand out | website=The Indian Express | date=2025-10-05 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/zohos-arattai-how-to-install-it-and-five-features-that-stand-out-10283975/ | access-date=2025-10-07}}</ref> However, the app dropped from the top rankings in October 2025. | ||
== History == | |||
Arattai was initially tested internally among Zoho employees before being released publicly in early 2021.<ref name="TOI2021">{{cite news |last=Hariharan |first=Sindhu |title=Homegrown tech firm Zoho develops messaging app Arattai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/homegrown-tech-firm-zoho-develops-messaging-app-arattai/articleshow/80200200.cms |access-date=13 January 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=10 January 2021}}</ref> The launch coincided with a surge in interest for privacy-focused and messaging services, triggered by concerns over WhatsApp’s [[Reception and criticism of WhatsApp security and privacy features#2021|updated terms of service]].<ref name="BIL2021">{{cite news |last=Dash |first=Sanchita |title=Zoho plans to woo WhatsApp defectors with its own messaging app Arattai |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/with-whatsapp-popularity-hit-zoho-plans-to-launch-arattai-messaging-app/articleshow/80206802.cms |access-date=13 January 2021 |work=Business Insider |date=11 January 2021 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111125119/https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/with-whatsapp-popularity-hit-zoho-plans-to-launch-arattai-messaging-app/articleshow/80206802.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
In September 2025, Arattai experienced a major surge in adoption, with daily sign-ups reportedly increasing 100-fold, from around 3,000 to more than 350,000 in three days.<ref name="IT2025">{{cite news |title=Arattai app explodes 100x in 3 days as sign-ups soar from 3,000 to 350,000 daily |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/arattai-app-explodes-100x-in-3-days-as-sign-ups-soar-from-3000-to-350000-daily-story-in-5-points-2795057-2025-09-29 |access-date=29 September 2025 |work=India Today |date=29 September 2025}}</ref> The growth temporarily strained Zoho's infrastructure, prompting rapid scaling of servers and capacity expansion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zoho's Arattai app sees 100x user surge amid Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative |url=https://m.economictimes.com/tech/technology/zohos-arattai-app-sees-100x-user-surge-amid-aatmanirbhar-bharat-initiative/articleshow/124206882.cms |access-date=29 September 2025 |work=The Economic Times |date=29 September 2025}}</ref> During the same period, the app reached the top position in Apple's App Store charts for the "Social Networking" category in India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zoho's messaging app Arattai tops Apple App Store rankings after ministers lend it a boost |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/zohos-messaging-app-arattai-tops-apple-app-store-rankings-after-ministers-lend-it-a-boost/articleshow/124194819.cms |access-date=29 September 2025 |work=The Economic Times |date=29 September 2025}}</ref> The app dropped from the top ranking in late October 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last=Das Gupta | first=Surajit | title=After a dream run, Zoho-run Arattai loses traction on app stores in India | website=Business Standard | date=26 October 2025 | url=https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/arattai-download-rankings-slump-as-perplexity-dominates-india-app-charts-125102600531_1.html | access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref> | |||
== Reception == | |||
At launch, Arattai was positioned as a potential domestic rival to WhatsApp in India, but analysts noted that it faced challenges with [[encryption]], ecosystem, and [[network effect]].<ref name="BIL2021" /> Critics pointed to occasional sync delays.<ref>{{cite news |title=Made-in-India Arattai tops App Store charts, overtakes WhatsApp |url=https://thefederal.com/business/made-in-india-arattai-tops-app-store-charts-in-india-overtakes-whatsapp-209120/ |access-date=29 September 2025 |work=The Federal |date=29 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Zoho’s Arattai: How to install it and five features that stand out | website=The Indian Express | date=2025-10-05 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/zohos-arattai-how-to-install-it-and-five-features-that-stand-out-10283975/ | access-date=2025-10-07}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
* {{anl|Jami (software)|Jami}} | |||
* {{anl|Signal (software)|Signal}} | |||
* {{anl|Telegram (software)|Telegram}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 40: | Line 53: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [https://www.arattai.in/ | * [https://www.arattai.in/ Official website] | ||
[[Category:Mobile applications]] | [[Category:Mobile applications]] | ||
| Line 46: | Line 59: | ||
[[Category:IOS software]] | [[Category:IOS software]] | ||
[[Category:Communication software]] | [[Category:Communication software]] | ||
[[Category:Instant messaging clients]] | |||
[[Category:VoIP software]] | |||
[[Category:Social media]] | |||
[[Category:Android Auto software]] | |||
[[Category:Cross-platform software]] | |||
[[Category:End-to-end encryption]] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:14, 13 January 2026
 | |
| Developer(s) | Zoho Corporation |
|---|---|
| Initial release | January 2021 |
| Operating system | |
| Type | |
| Website | www |
Arattai Messenger (or simply Arattai) is an encrypted messaging service for instant messaging, voice calls, and video calls, developed by Zoho Corporation. The name Arattai means "chat" or "conversation" in Tamil. The app was soft-launched in January 2021.[1] The app saw a sharp surge in downloads in September 2025, partially fueled by endorsements from Indian government officials.[2][3][4] However, the app dropped from the top rankings in October 2025.
History[edit | edit source]
Arattai was initially tested internally among Zoho employees before being released publicly in early 2021.[5] The launch coincided with a surge in interest for privacy-focused and messaging services, triggered by concerns over WhatsApp’s updated terms of service.[6]
In September 2025, Arattai experienced a major surge in adoption, with daily sign-ups reportedly increasing 100-fold, from around 3,000 to more than 350,000 in three days.[7] The growth temporarily strained Zoho's infrastructure, prompting rapid scaling of servers and capacity expansion.[8] During the same period, the app reached the top position in Apple's App Store charts for the "Social Networking" category in India.[9] The app dropped from the top ranking in late October 2025.[10]
Reception[edit | edit source]
At launch, Arattai was positioned as a potential domestic rival to WhatsApp in India, but analysts noted that it faced challenges with encryption, ecosystem, and network effect.[6] Critics pointed to occasional sync delays.[11][12]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Chandrashekhar, Anandi (12 January 2021). "Zoho positions its Arattai app as WhatsApp rival amid user exodus". The Economic Times. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ↑ "We don't use AWS or Azure: Sridhar Vembu clears air on Arattai, Zoho's desi tech backbone". Business Today. India Today Group. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Zoho's Arattai messaging app tops app stores as downloads surge 100x". The Times of India. Times Internet. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Zoho's Arattai: How to install it and five features that stand out". The Indian Express. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ↑ Hariharan, Sindhu (10 January 2021). "Homegrown tech firm Zoho develops messaging app Arattai". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dash, Sanchita (11 January 2021). "Zoho plans to woo WhatsApp defectors with its own messaging app Arattai". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ↑ "Arattai app explodes 100x in 3 days as sign-ups soar from 3,000 to 350,000 daily". India Today. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ↑ "Zoho's Arattai app sees 100x user surge amid Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative". The Economic Times. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ↑ "Zoho's messaging app Arattai tops Apple App Store rankings after ministers lend it a boost". The Economic Times. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ↑ Das Gupta, Surajit (26 October 2025). "After a dream run, Zoho-run Arattai loses traction on app stores in India". Business Standard. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ "Made-in-India Arattai tops App Store charts, overtakes WhatsApp". The Federal. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ↑ "Zoho's Arattai: How to install it and five features that stand out". The Indian Express. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.