Zoho’s messaging app, Arattai, is gaining traction as it supports group chats of up to 1,000 participants, document and media sharing, and dedicated channels for organized communication. The app has seen a significant increase in daily sign-ups, rising from 3,000 to 350,000, with a peak of two million on October 1, 2025. This growth coincides with India’s “Make in India” initiative, which promotes domestic digital products. The app has received endorsements from Indian ministers as part of the “swadeshi” initiative, aiming to bolster local technology.
Arattai has surpassed 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store, although it still trails behind WhatsApp’s 500 million monthly active users in India. Recently, the app has begun to generate interest outside of India. On October 3, 2025, Arattai confirmed through social media that it is working on making the app available in the UAE, following user requests from that region.
Sridhar Vembu, Zoho’s founder, emphasizes a philosophy of ‘transnational localism,’ focusing on decentralizing operations to tap into rural talent. Since its inception in 1996, Zoho has expanded to offer over 55 products and serves 130 million users globally.
- Why it matters: The rise of Arattai highlights the increasing preference for homegrown tech solutions, which may encourage further investment in local startups and innovations.
- Zoho’s growth indicates a shift towards supporting domestic technology sectors, potentially influencing future policy and economic strategies in India.
- The latest: Arattai is exploring availability in the UAE, addressing user demand in the region.
Source: https://gulfnews.com/technology/whatsapp-vs-arattai-why-indias-new-messaging-app-has-suddenly-gone-viral-1.500312249
Source: https://gulfnews.com/technology/whatsapp-vs-arattai-why-indias-new-messaging-app-has-suddenly-gone-viral-1.500312249