India’s home-grown messaging platform Arattai has achieved a remarkable feat by ascending to the pinnacle of the Social Networking category on the App Store. This accomplishment comes amidst a significant influx of new users and an increasing demand for indigenous digital solutions. Developed by Zoho Corporation, Arattai took to its official X account to express gratitude to its users for their unwavering support, celebrating its newfound status as the number one messaging app. This announcement coincides with an extraordinary growth phase, where daily sign-ups surged from 3,000 to an astonishing 350,000 within just three days—a staggering increase of 100 times.
Arattai – ‘The Swadeshi App’
Launched in January 2021 in response to concerns over WhatsApp’s privacy policy changes, Arattai—meaning “chat” in Tamil—offers a secure, Indian-made alternative for messaging and communication, aligning perfectly with the government’s initiative for self-reliance in technology. The app’s rapid rise has been further amplified by endorsements from prominent figures, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He recently encouraged citizens to embrace Arattai, describing it as “free, easy-to-use, secure, safe, and made in India,” while linking its adoption to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for “Swadeshi.”
Tech leaders have also recognized Arattai’s impressive momentum. Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, commended Zoho for positioning Arattai as a formidable contender against established global players like WhatsApp. In response to the explosive growth, Zoho’s co-founder and Chief Scientist, Sridhar Vembu, announced that the company is rapidly enhancing its infrastructure to accommodate potential further surges. “We are adding infrastructure on an emergency basis for another potential 100x peak surge. That is how exponentials work,” he shared on X, noting that this surge in users arrived ahead of the company’s planned marketing campaign and feature rollout scheduled for November.
What is Arattai?
Arattai is a cross-platform instant messaging application developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation. It allows users to send text and voice messages, make audio and video calls, share photos, videos, and documents, post stories, and create group chats, all within a secure and user-friendly interface.
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Netizens remember Koo following the Arattai user surge
As Arattai gains traction, netizens are recalling the Koo app, urging Prime Minister Modi to lend his support to this Swadeshi initiative. One user tweeted, “@narendramodi we need you to tweet on this, we miss the bus on the Koo app, not again.” Another chimed in, “As @Arattai is going to be huge now, we should demand Koo app to make a comeback as well. Also, we need alternate apps for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Let’s go #Swadeshi 👍🏼 full head-on.”
FAQs
Is Arattai free to use?
Yes. Arattai is completely free to download and use, offering a simple, privacy-focused communication solution without subscription fees, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
What can I use Arattai for?
Arattai serves as a comprehensive communication tool, allowing users to send messages, share media files and documents, make voice and video calls, connect via group chats and channels, and post stories to stay in touch with friends and family.
Can I use Arattai on multiple devices?
Yes. Arattai supports use across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers, allowing up to five devices to be linked to a single account. Messages, contacts, and settings sync automatically across devices, ensuring a seamless experience.
Can I import chats from other messaging apps?
Currently, Arattai does not support importing messages from other platforms. However, its growing feature set aims to make the transition as smooth as possible for new users.
With its sudden surge in popularity and robust backing from both government officials and tech leaders, Arattai is poised to emerge as a significant player among homegrown alternatives to global messaging giants, potentially reshaping India’s digital communication landscape.
