India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai, developed by Zoho, has shot to the top of app store charts, sparking buzz as a potential WhatsApp rival. Backed by government endorsements and a surge of user interest, the app’s rise highlights India’s growing push for Swadeshi digital platforms.
A Local App Tops the Charts
India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai, built by Zoho Corporation, has surged to the top of the country’s app stores. The Tamil word “Arattai” means casual chat or conversation, and the app is living up to its name. This week, Arattai overtook WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to claim the No. 1 spot in the Social Networking category on Apple’s App Store.
Zoho announced the milestone with pride on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “We’re officially #1 in Social Networking on the App Store!” The rise was powered by endorsements, patriotic downloads, memes, and strong visibility across social media.
We’re officially #1 in Social Networking on the App Store!
Big thanks to every single Arattai user for making this possible. 💛#StayConnected #Arattai pic.twitter.com/gqxPW108Nq— Arattai (@Arattai) September 27, 2025
Government Push for Swadeshi Apps
The app’s popularity has also grown with government backing. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged people to adopt Indian-made apps like Arattai. In his post on X, he described it as “secure, user-friendly, and completely free.” The push echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Swadeshi or supporting indigenous products.
Pradhan said Arattai is built fully in India and encouraged citizens to stay connected using local digital platforms. His endorsement added to the buzz, giving the app a major visibility boost.
Arattai instant messaging app developed by @Zoho is free, easy-to-use, secure, safe and ‘Made in India’.
Guided by Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s call to adopt Swadeshi, I appeal to everyone to switch to India-made apps for staying connected with friends and family.… pic.twitter.com/Tptgbzgivg
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 24, 2025
Features That Stand Out
Arattai offers features similar to global rivals:
- One-to-one and group chats.
- Audio and video calls.
- Document and image sharing.
- Voice notes and media sharing.
- Multi-device support, including desktop and Android TV.
- Stories and channels for broadcasts and updates.
The app promises a privacy-first approach. Zoho says it does not sell or share user data. For a country where concerns about data security and surveillance are high, this has resonated strongly.
However, there is one key limitation. While calls are end-to-end encrypted, text messages are not fully encrypted yet. Zoho has said it is working to roll this out soon. Until then, WhatsApp still has the upper hand in terms of security.
Growing Pains and Challenges
The sudden surge has created challenges. Servers have struggled with the flood of new users. Some have faced delays with OTPs, syncing contacts, and call quality. Zoho acknowledged these issues, saying it is working hard to expand servers and that fixes may take a few days.
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa tested the app and called it “India’s WhatsApp killer.” He praised its design and ease of use but jokingly suggested renaming it to something easier to spell globally. Memes about how to pronounce “Arattai” have since gone viral.
Just tried India’s WhatsApp killer: Arattai. Already matches WhatsApp in look, feel, and usability. @svembu says it’s still alpha and improving fast. Can’t wait for a spyware-free product!
My old friend is running engineering himself and asked for feedback. Mine: rename it to…
— Vivek Wadhwa (@wadhwa) September 27, 2025
Despite the excitement, experts say the real test is long-term adoption. WhatsApp has over 500 million users in India and is deeply entrenched in daily life. While Arattai’s rise shows strong curiosity, keeping users active will be a bigger challenge.
Conclusion
Arattai’s climb to the top reflects India’s growing appetite for homegrown apps. With strong government backing, a focus on privacy, and swelling user interest, it has momentum on its side. But for Arattai to truly compete with WhatsApp, it must solve its server issues, add full encryption for texts, and prove it can hold on to its new users once the hype settles.
shifa ali
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