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Arattai Emerges as a Beacon of India's Digital Self-Reliance with Explosive User Growth

What began as a modest alternative has exploded into a national phenomenon this September. Daily sign-ups skyrocketed from around 3,000 to over 350,000 within three days, marking a 100-fold surge that strained Zoho's infrastructure and prompted rapid server expansions. Total downloads on Google Play now surpass 10 million, propelling Arattai to the top of Apple's App Store charts in India's Social Networking category.
10 October 2025 by
Arattai Emerges as a Beacon of India's Digital Self-Reliance with Explosive User Growth
TCO News Admin
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Chennai, October 10, 2025 – In a resounding endorsement of the "Made in India" ethos, Arattai, the homegrown instant messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, has witnessed a meteoric rise in popularity, underscoring a growing user preference for indigenous, privacy-centric platforms over global giants like WhatsApp.

Launched softly in January 2021 amid heightened privacy concerns following WhatsApp's policy updates, Arattai – whose name translates to "chat" or "conversation" in Tamil – was initially tested among Zoho employees before going public. The app, available for free on Android and iOS with desktop support, offers a suite of features designed for seamless communication: end-to-end encrypted messaging and voice notes, audio and video calls, photo and document sharing, group chats, custom stickers, reactions, and broadcast channels for larger audiences. Users can even import chats from WhatsApp for a smooth transition, with cross-device syncing across up to five gadgets ensuring continuity.

What began as a modest alternative has exploded into a national phenomenon this September. Daily sign-ups skyrocketed from around 3,000 to over 350,000 within three days, marking a 100-fold surge that strained Zoho's infrastructure and prompted rapid server expansions. Total downloads on Google Play now surpass 10 million, propelling Arattai to the top of Apple's App Store charts in India's Social Networking category.

The catalyst? A timely endorsement from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who on September 24 urged citizens via X to embrace homegrown apps like Arattai, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision for self-reliant technology. Backed by Zoho – a Chennai-based multinational boasting $1 billion in annual revenue and no venture capital dependencies – the app benefits from "patient capital," allowing focus on long-term innovation rather than short-term profits, unlike predecessors such as Koo and Hike that faltered amid funding woes.

This surge highlights a palpable shift in user sentiment toward platforms prioritizing data sovereignty and privacy, especially in a market where WhatsApp commands 500 million users but faces scrutiny over foreign data practices. Arattai's emphasis on security – with end-to-end encryption for messages and calls – resonates amid global debates on digital surveillance.

Yet, the rapid ascent hasn't been without hiccups. A viral X post last week raised eyebrows over the privacy of shared images, prompting a lighthearted yet pointed query to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu. In response, Vembu reaffirmed the company's commitment: "Our entire SaaS business is based on the trust that we DO NOT access customer data... End-to-end encryption is a technical feature and that is coming. Trust is far more precious." While some critics note occasional sync delays and question full encryption parity with rivals, Zoho's track record in earning global trust positions Arattai for sustained growth.

As India continues its quest for indigenous social media – from X clones to TikTok alternatives – Arattai's trajectory signals that user-driven adoption, fueled by endorsements and superior privacy, could finally crack the code against entrenched foreign apps. With potential expansions into AI integrations and commerce, the "WhatsApp killer" from Tamil Nadu is poised to redefine conversations in the world's largest democracy.

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Arattai Emerges as a Beacon of India's Digital Self-Reliance with Explosive User Growth
TCO News Admin 10 October 2025
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