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Arattai Vs Whatsapp Which Is Better
India’s digital landscape is transforming rapidly. From payments to cloud platforms, the country is striving for technological independence under the vision of “Digital India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. Among these efforts, one noteworthy step has been taken by Zoho Corporation, which has developed an indigenous messenger app called Arattai — a Tamil word meaning “chat.”
Arattai is being presented as India’s very own alternative to WhatsApp, focusing on user privacy, simplicity, and data localization. Unlike many foreign apps that store user data overseas, Arattai emphasizes security and independence while introducing several innovative features not found in WhatsApp.
Let’s explore how Arattai stands out — and the five key areas where it could potentially outperform WhatsApp in the Indian market.
1. Chat Without Sharing Your Phone Number
One of Arattai’s most privacy-friendly features is that it lets users communicate without revealing their mobile number. Instead of forcing users to share their contact details, Arattai allows them to create a unique username for chatting.
This simple change dramatically improves privacy — especially in large groups or professional settings — where people prefer to protect personal contact details. Users can share photos, documents, videos, or even locations through this username system, maintaining complete control over who gets access to their phone number.
In contrast, WhatsApp still relies entirely on a mobile number as the user identity, which means anyone in your contact list (or group) can see it.
Winner: Arattai — for putting privacy first through username-based communication.
2. Dedicated Arattai Meeting Feature for Professionals
While WhatsApp is primarily built for casual chatting and quick calls, Arattai takes it a step further by introducing a dedicated “Meetings” feature.
This module allows users to schedule structured discussions or virtual meetings directly within the app. Think of it as a lightweight, built-in alternative to Zoom or Google Meet — all inside a messaging platform. Users can create meeting links, invite participants, and manage discussions without leaving the chat environment.
This makes Arattai particularly appealing for business teams, schools, and organizations already familiar with Zoho’s other productivity tools. WhatsApp, meanwhile, offers only simple call links and lacks such professional-grade meeting support.
Winner: Arattai — for integrating professional meetings inside a messenger.
3. Mentions That Keep Conversations Organized
If you’ve ever struggled to catch up in a busy group chat, Arattai has a smart fix — the Mentions feature.
Whenever someone tags you in a group, Arattai lets you view all your mentions in one place. This means you don’t need to scroll endlessly through hundreds of messages to find out where you were tagged. It’s a small but incredibly useful productivity feature that keeps conversations efficient and focused.
WhatsApp, on the other hand, notifies you when you’re mentioned but doesn’t provide a dedicated tab or filter to see all your mentions together.
Winner: Arattai — for enhancing group chat usability and organization.
4. Pockets: A Personal Cloud Locker Inside the App
Arattai introduces a unique feature called Pockets, which acts like your personal digital locker.
Think of it as a place where you can save important messages, files, or notes securely — separate from your regular chats. This section syncs with your cloud account, so you can access saved items from any connected device later.
For example, you can store a crucial document, a memorable photo, or a reminder message in Pockets and retrieve it instantly without searching your chat history.
WhatsApp does allow “starred messages,” but it doesn’t offer a dedicated, cloud-based storage zone that works across multiple devices.
Winner: Arattai — for introducing secure, cloud-synced personal storage.
5. Story Notifications That Put You in Control
Another standout feature of Arattai is Story Notifications.
Unlike WhatsApp, which only shows new Story updates when you open the app, Arattai lets users turn on notifications for specific contacts. Whenever those selected people post a Story, you’ll receive an alert instantly — just like Instagram or Snapchat notifications.
This adds a personalized layer to staying connected, helping you never miss updates from friends, family, or colleagues you care about most.
Winner: Arattai — for offering personalized story alerts that WhatsApp doesn’t.
Arattai vs WhatsApp: Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | Arattai (Zoho) | WhatsApp (Meta) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Developed by Zoho Corporation, India | Developed by Meta Platforms, USA | 🇮🇳 Arattai – Made in India |
| User Identity | Chat using username (no number visible) | Requires phone number to chat | ✅ Arattai |
| Data Storage | Hosted locally in India | Stored on foreign servers | ✅ Arattai |
| Meetings | Built-in Meetings for video & group calls | Only basic video/voice calls | ✅ Arattai |
| Mentions | View all mentions in one place | No dedicated mentions tab | ✅ Arattai |
| Pockets (Storage) | Secure cloud locker for messages/files | Only starred messages | ✅ Arattai |
| Story Notifications | Custom alerts for selected contacts | No story notifications | ✅ Arattai |
| End-to-End Encryption | Encryption ongoing; E2EE rollout planned | Fully end-to-end encrypted | ⚖️ WhatsApp |
| Cross-Device Support | Up to 5 devices + Android TV | Up to 4 devices (no TV support) | ✅ Arattai |
| Integrations | Connects with Zoho tools (Mail, WorkDrive, etc.) | Limited external integrations | ✅ Arattai |
| User Base | Growing rapidly, early phase | 2+ billion global users | ⚖️ WhatsApp |
| Ads / Promotions | Completely ad-free | Shows Meta-linked promotions | ✅ Arattai |
| Overall Focus | Privacy, productivity & business use | Mass communication & global social use | ⚖️ Depends on user needs |
Beyond Features: Why Arattai Represents More Than Just an App
Arattai is more than a messenger; it’s part of India’s digital self-reliance movement. With increasing awareness about data sovereignty, Indian users are becoming more conscious about where their data resides. Zoho, a company already known for hosting data locally and maintaining strong privacy standards, is extending that philosophy into personal communication with Arattai.
Moreover, Arattai’s ecosystem fits neatly into Zoho’s suite of productivity tools. This could give it a strategic advantage for Indian businesses and educational institutions seeking a complete communication + collaboration platform built and hosted within India.
What Arattai Still Needs to Improve
While Arattai’s features are promising, a few challenges remain before it can truly compete with WhatsApp on a national scale:
User Base Growth – WhatsApp’s massive global network gives it a strong social advantage. Arattai must reach critical mass to become truly mainstream.
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) – Arattai is reportedly working toward stronger encryption standards, but WhatsApp currently leads in fully encrypted communication.
Feature Maturity – Some advanced features (like payments or integrations with third-party apps) are still on Arattai’s roadmap.
Public Awareness – Many users haven’t yet heard of Arattai. Zoho will need robust marketing and partnerships to boost adoption.
If these areas evolve in the coming months, Arattai could quickly become India’s preferred secure communication app.
Conclusion
Arattai isn’t just another chat app — it’s a symbol of India’s technological independence. By focusing on privacy, user control, and locally hosted infrastructure, Zoho has created a platform that blends innovation with national pride.
Its standout features — chat without numbers, built-in meetings, Mentions view, Pockets storage, and story alerts — make it a refreshing and modern alternative to WhatsApp.
However, its ultimate success will depend on how quickly it can refine its technology, strengthen privacy protection, and attract a large active user community. If it does, Arattai might soon represent a major shift in how India communicates — on its own digital terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Arattai vs WhatsApp
1. What is the Arattai app?
Arattai is a homegrown instant messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian software company. The Tamil name “Arattai Meaning in english is “chat”. It offers messaging, calls, file sharing, meetings, and unique features like Pockets and Story Notifications, positioning itself as India’s answer to WhatsApp.
2. Is Arattai app better than WhatsApp?
It depends on your priorities.
If privacy, data localization, and business-friendly features matter most, Arattai offers a clear edge. But if you’re looking for global reach and established encryption, WhatsApp currently remains stronger.
3. Does Arattai support end-to-end encryption?
Arattai app provides secure encryption for chats, and full E2EE (end to end encryption) is being rolled out progressively. WhatsApp already offers complete E2EE for all messages, calls, and media.
4. Can I use Arattai app without a phone number?
Yes — you can chat using your username instead of revealing your mobile number to contacts. However, a mobile number is still required during initial registration to verify your account.
5. Is Arattai available on iPhone and Android?
Yes, Arattai is available for both Android and iOS devices. It can also be accessed on Windows, macOS, and even Android TV, giving it wide platform support.
6. How secure is my data on Arattai?
Zoho hosts Arattai’s servers within India, complying with local data privacy and storage regulations. The app doesn’t rely on third-party ad networks, which enhances user privacy compared to most global messengers.
7. Can I use Arattai for business meetings?
Yes! Arattai has a built-in meeting feature that allows you to organize structured discussions, video meetings, and team collaborations directly inside the app — something WhatsApp doesn’t offer natively.
8. Is Arattai free to use?
Yes, Arattai is completely free and ad-free at present. Users can send unlimited messages, make calls, and host meetings without subscription fees.
9. Who owns Arattai?
Arattai is owned and developed by Zoho Corporation, a respected Indian SaaS company founded by Sridhar Vembu. Zoho is known for building privacy-focused software and hosting all its infrastructure in India.
10. Is Arattai a secure alternative to WhatsApp for Indian users?
Yes. Arattai emphasizes Indian data hosting, user-controlled privacy, and zero ad tracking, making it a strong choice for users who value national data security and independence.
Disclaimer
The information presented in this article, “Arattai vs WhatsApp: India’s Homegrown Messenger Comparison,” is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. All app features, specifications, and comparisons are based on publicly available data and research as of the publication date.
We do not represent or have any affiliation with Zoho Corporation (developer of Arattai) or Meta Platforms, Inc. (developer of WhatsApp). Product names, logos, and trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, features, availability, and security policies may change over time through software updates or company revisions. Readers are advised to verify the latest details from the official websites or app stores before making any decisions based on this information.
The author and publisher are not responsible for any loss, data issue, or discrepancy arising from the use of these applications. This article expresses independent analysis and opinion, not sponsored content.