In recent months, a notable shift has emerged within the Indian tech landscape, highlighting the importance of homegrown software solutions that can rival the longstanding dominance of global tech giants. Among the frontrunners in this movement is Zoho, a company with a rich history of providing business solutions. Their latest offering, Arattai, has captured attention on social media, with users dubbing it the ‘WhatsApp killer.’ This India-made app is not only challenging WhatsApp’s supremacy but also introduces several features that set it apart from its global counterpart.
Five features that Arattai has that WhatsApp lacks:
1) Meetings:
While WhatsApp has made strides in enhancing its video calling capabilities over the years, it falls short when compared to Arattai’s Meetings feature. This innovative tool allows users to conduct meetings directly within the messaging app, akin to platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. Positioned conveniently in the bottom dock of the Arattai app, users can create instant meetings, join ongoing discussions, or schedule future meetings. Additionally, a comprehensive overview of all scheduled and past meetings is readily accessible from this menu.
2) Pocket:
For those who have resorted to sending messages to themselves on WhatsApp for safekeeping, Arattai offers a more sophisticated solution with its ‘Pocket’ feature. This function serves as a personal cloud storage space, enabling users to share messages, media, and other important information seamlessly.
3) Mentions:
Navigating notifications on WhatsApp can sometimes be cumbersome, but Arattai simplifies this with its Slack-like ‘Mentions’ section. This feature conveniently compiles all messages that have mentioned the user, ensuring that important communications are easily accessible.
4) No ads:
One of Arattai’s standout attributes is its ad-free experience. The app currently does not display any advertisements and assures users that their data will not be utilized for advertising purposes. In contrast, WhatsApp has begun incorporating ads into its Updates tab and shares certain user data with its parent company, Meta, for advertising. Furthermore, Arattai emphasizes its commitment to data privacy by storing user information in data centers located within India. However, it is worth noting that while Arattai provides end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, regular text messages are not yet fully protected, whereas WhatsApp offers comprehensive encryption for both text and calls.
5) No forced AI:
In recent months, Meta has integrated AI features into WhatsApp and other platforms, often without considering user preferences. These AI functionalities are prominently featured in the search bar and various sections of the app, with no option for users to completely disable them. In contrast, Arattai currently refrains from incorporating any AI features, and while the company may introduce them gradually, it appears committed to ensuring that users are not compelled to adopt these technologies against their will.
