A Surge No One Saw Coming
India has long waited for its moment when it will abuzz the world with its own B2C offering in tech and that time might be finally here. One week ago, Arattai was quietly adding 3,000 new users a day. Then, almost overnight, the number exploded. Within three days, the made-in-India messaging app saw 3,50,000 daily sign-ups — a 100x leap that stunned even its creators. On app charts, Arattai has pushed aside long-time giants like WhatsApp and Telegram, sparking a wave of curiosity across the country.
From Swadeshi Push to Viral Buzz
The spike didn’t happen in isolation. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan openly backed the app, urging Indians to “use secure, homegrown tools.” His endorsement tied neatly into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swadeshi movement, giving Arattai visibility beyond tech circles. Suddenly, it wasn’t just another messaging app; it became a symbol of India’s digital self-reliance.
Tech Leaders Cheer from the Sidelines
Industry voices quickly joined in. Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas congratulated Zoho on the app’s momentum. Tech entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa went further, calling it “India’s WhatsApp killer.” He tested the app himself and praised its look, feel, and usability, noting that it already mirrors WhatsApp in experience while staying spyware-free.
Built on the Basics, With Privacy at its Core
Arattai doesn’t reinvent messaging — it perfects the essentials. One-to-one and group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, and stories all come built-in. Multi-device support extends even to desktops and Android TVs. What really sets it apart, though, is Zoho’s stance on privacy. Unlike global rivals often accused of monetising user data, Zoho insists Arattai does not mine personal information. For a country debating digital sovereignty, that message resonates strongly.
Growing Pains Hit Hard
But explosive growth comes at a cost. New users have faced OTP delays, patchy contact sync, and call glitches. Zoho admitted its servers are buckling under pressure. Co-founder Sridhar Vembu said teams are working round the clock to add infrastructure, preparing for “another 100x surge.” The company warned it may take a few days to iron out issues, but the commitment to scale is clear.
Can it Dent WhatsApp’s Dominance?
Here lies the billion-dollar question. WhatsApp commands over 500 million users in India. It’s not just a chat app — it’s the default for family conversations, business transactions, and community groups. Arattai’s surge proves Indians are curious about local alternatives, but sustaining that interest will be harder. The app needs consistent reliability, continued feature upgrades, and a sticky user base to stay relevant.
What’s at Stake for India’s Digital Ecosystem?
Still, Arattai’s rise signals a turning point. India has long sought homegrown alternatives to foreign tech platforms. A privacy-first, locally developed app with government backing could rewrite the messaging playbook. If Arattai holds its ground, India may finally have a true competitor to WhatsApp — one born and built on its own soil.
