homegrown messaging app Archives

AppWizard

October 1, 2025

As Zoho’s indigenous messaging app Arattai gains steam, privacy conscious users point out this WhatsApp feature it lacks

Zoho Corp's messaging app, Arattai, has gained popularity recently, with speculation about its potential to compete with WhatsApp in India. Arattai lacks default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for standard messages, although voice and video calls are encrypted. Users can use a 'secret chat' feature for secure messaging, but it does not apply to regular chats. In contrast, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal provide E2EE for all communication. The Arattai team has acknowledged privacy concerns and is working on implementing E2EE for chats. Arattai is a free cross-platform app that allows users to send messages, make calls, and share media across multiple devices. Since its launch in 2021, it has reached the top of app charts but faces competition from WhatsApp, which has over 500 million users in India and serves various communication needs.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

Zoho’s Arattai messaging app tops App Stores as downloads surge 100x – The Times of India

Zoho's messaging app, Arattai, has recently topped India's app stores, surpassing WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. Launched in 2021, it has gained popularity due to concerns about AI and spyware, being marketed as a "spyware-free, made-in-India messenger." Arattai experienced a 100-fold increase in users within three days, rising from 3,000 to 350,000 daily sign-ups, prompting the company to urgently expand its infrastructure. The app offers features like one-to-one and group chats, audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption, multi-device support, and story broadcasting. However, it is facing challenges such as delays in OTP verification, slow contact synchronization, and call glitches due to server overload. Additionally, the end-to-end encryption feature is not yet operational, but Zoho is working on it.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

Arattai sees 3,000 to 350,000 sign-ups a day— Could Zoho’s messaging platform be India’s WhatsApp rival?

Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas congratulated Zoho Corporation on the success of its messaging app, Arattai, which saw daily sign-ups increase from 3,000 to 350,000 within three days. This represents a 100-fold increase in interest. Zoho’s Chief Scientist, Sridhar Vembu, indicated that the company is enhancing infrastructure to accommodate further growth. Arattai offers features such as text, image, video, and document sharing, voice and video calls, and stories, with a focus on privacy through end-to-end encryption. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan endorsed the app as “free, easy-to-use, secure, and safe,” aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swadeshi initiative. The app is being recognized as a strong contender to WhatsApp, marking a significant development in India's digital communication landscape.

AppWizard

September 28, 2025

Arattai reaches No 1 in app stores: Can the ‘Made in India’ messaging app challenge WhatsApp? Name and features explained

India's messaging app Arattai, launched in 2021 by Zoho, has recently topped app store rankings, surpassing established competitors. The app promotes itself as "spyware-free" and "made-in-India," appealing to users concerned about data privacy. It received a boost in popularity following an endorsement from India's Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. Arattai offers features such as one-to-one and group chats, voice notes, media sharing, voice and video calls, stories, and channel broadcasting. It emphasizes user privacy and does not monetize personal data, although chat encryption is still in development. As the app grows rapidly, it faces challenges like delayed OTPs and slower contact synchronization due to increased server load. Maintaining its position against WhatsApp, which has over 500 million users in India, will require Arattai to convert downloads into regular use and address feature gaps. Zoho is working to expand server capacity and enhance user security.

AppWizard

July 10, 2024

Cambodia Launches its own WhatsApp-like Messaging App. Here’s why |

Cambodian leader Hun Sen endorses new messaging app called CoolApp, which is created as a competitor to popular messaging apps. Critics are concerned that the app could be used by the government to monitor and suppress political discourse.

AppWizard

June 30, 2024

Cambodia now has its own version of WhatsApp. Critics fear it could be used for surveillance | CNN Business

The Cambodian government has launched a new messaging app called CoolApp, which critics believe is a tool for increased surveillance and control of political discussion in the country. Hun Sen, the strongman leader, has promoted the app as a way to protect national security and prevent foreign interference. Critics see CoolApp as a Chinese-style mechanism for mass surveillance and censorship, with Hun Sen's government having close ties to China's ruling Communist Party.