In the world of instant messaging, WhatsApp has long been the undisputed king. With over 2 billion users worldwide, it dominates conversations, groups, and business communication across continents.
But in recent years, especially after the privacy policy controversy in 2021, users started asking an important question: “Is there a safer, privacy-focused alternative — maybe even made in India?”
Enter Arattai — an app that proudly wears its “Made in India” badge and promises privacy-first messaging backed by Zoho, one of India’s most respected tech companies.
So how does Arattai really stack up against WhatsApp? Can it compete in terms of features, privacy, and user experience? Let’s find out.
1. The Background: Who Built What
Founded in 2009 and acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014, WhatsApp revolutionized personal communication with its easy-to-use interface, instant delivery system, and multimedia sharing.
However, after Meta’s takeover, privacy concerns began to rise. The company’s data-sharing policies, especially related to business interactions, led many users to explore alternative platforms.
🔹 Arattai
“Arattai” — which means “chat” in Tamil — was launched by Zoho Corporation, an Indian SaaS giant known for its business software ecosystem.
Zoho, led by Sridhar Vembu, has a reputation for keeping user privacy at the core of its operations. With Arattai, they aimed to bring a secure, ad-free, and India-hosted alternative to the table.
2. Data Privacy and Security: The Heart of the Debate
If there’s one area where Arattai shines, it’s data privacy.
🔒 WhatsApp’s Approach
- Uses end-to-end encryption for chats and calls.
- However, it collects metadata such as device info, IP address, contact lists, and usage statistics.
- As part of Meta, WhatsApp can share limited data with Facebook for business and analytics purposes.
- Backup chats (especially on Google Drive or iCloud) aren’t always encrypted, depending on user settings.
🛡️ Arattai’s Approach
- Claims to store all user data within India — a huge plus for those concerned about data sovereignty.
- Promises end-to-end encryption on messages and calls.
- No ads, no trackers, and no sharing of data with third parties.
- Since Zoho runs its own cloud infrastructure, Arattai doesn’t depend on Amazon or Google servers.
✅ Verdict:
Arattai wins on privacy, especially for Indian users who value local data storage and transparency. WhatsApp, while secure in transmission, still raises eyebrows due to its connection with Meta’s broader data ecosystem.
3. Features and Functionality: Old Giant vs. New Challenger
💬 WhatsApp Features
WhatsApp is incredibly polished, and its strength lies in its maturity:
- Personal and group chats
- Voice and video calls (up to 32 participants)
- Status updates (stories)
- File sharing (up to 2GB limit)
- WhatsApp Web and Desktop apps
- WhatsApp Pay (in select countries)
- Business accounts and automated catalogs
💬 Arattai Features
Arattai may be newer, but it’s catching up fast:
- One-on-one and group chats
- Voice and video calls
- File and photo sharing
- Status updates
- Clean interface with no ads
- End-to-end encryption
- Indian data centers
- Integration potential with Zoho ecosystem
While Arattai lacks features like payments and global-scale business integration (for now), it compensates with simplicity and privacy.
✅ Verdict:
WhatsApp offers more advanced features, but Arattai keeps things clean, simple, and secure — perfect for users who prioritize privacy over bells and whistles.
4. User Interface and Experience
WhatsApp’s design is familiar and intuitive — one reason why even first-time smartphone users adopt it easily. Its chat layout, emoji reactions, and dark mode make for a polished experience.
🔵 Arattai
Arattai feels like a hybrid between WhatsApp and Telegram — lightweight, clean, and uncluttered. It opens quickly, and its minimal design avoids distractions.
That said, WhatsApp’s user experience still feels smoother and more consistent across devices, especially with WhatsApp Web.
✅ Verdict:
Both apps are easy to use, but WhatsApp is more refined, while Arattai feels fresh and distraction-free.
5. Availability and Ecosystem
Available globally across Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and the web.
WhatsApp Business also enables e-commerce and customer support integrations, making it more than just a chat app.
🇮🇳 Arattai
Currently focused on India.
It’s available on Android and iOS, and Zoho plans to add web and desktop versions in the future.
However, because it’s built by Zoho, it could eventually integrate with Zoho WorkDrive, Mail, or CRM — turning it into a powerful business communication tool in the long term.
✅ Verdict:
WhatsApp dominates globally, but Arattai has room to grow within India — especially if it leverages Zoho’s massive ecosystem.
6. Monetization and Ads
This is a dealbreaker for many users.
While WhatsApp doesn’t show ads in personal chats, Meta has started experimenting with ads in WhatsApp Business and catalog features.
Their end goal is clear — integrate commerce and marketing within the app.
🚫 Arattai
Arattai is completely ad-free. Zoho has publicly stated that user data will never be used for advertising or tracking. The company’s philosophy revolves around subscription-based business tools, not ad monetization.
✅ Verdict:
Arattai wins big here. No ads, no trackers, no monetization pressure.
7. Performance and Reliability
WhatsApp has years of optimization under its belt — faster delivery, better compression, and superior video quality on low bandwidth.
Arattai performs decently but can feel slower in multimedia-heavy groups. However, Zoho continuously updates the app, and stability has improved significantly since its early days.
✅ Verdict:
WhatsApp still leads in speed and optimization, but Arattai is catching up quickly.
8. Trust and Philosophy
The biggest difference isn’t in code — it’s in philosophy.
- WhatsApp (Meta) is a data-driven company. Its business thrives on user data and advertising across platforms.
- Arattai (Zoho) follows a privacy-first, no-ad policy. Zoho has never taken investor money, which means it answers only to users, not shareholders.
✅ Verdict:
If you value transparency and independence, Arattai’s values are refreshing.
9. Which One Should You Use?
It depends on what you prioritize:
| Need | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Global reach & familiarity | |
| Privacy & Indian data storage | Arattai |
| Business communication | WhatsApp Business |
| Ad-free personal chats | Arattai |
| Fast file/media sharing | |
| Integration with Zoho ecosystem | Arattai (future potential) |
10. Final Thoughts: A Promising Challenger
Arattai may not dethrone WhatsApp anytime soon, but it doesn’t have to.
What it represents is far more important — a Made in India, privacy-focused alternative built by a company with integrity. It gives users choice, something sorely needed in the global messaging space.
As awareness around data privacy grows, Arattai’s no-ad, no-tracker model will likely attract users who value independence over global dominance.
So, if you’re tired of giving your data to big tech, Arattai is worth trying. It’s fast, simple, secure, and most importantly yours.
