Zoho Arattai vs WhatsApp: How India’s Messaging App Stacks Up
Zoho’s Arattai is positioning itself as a strong contender against WhatsApp in the messaging space. But how do these two apps compare in terms of features and security?
Arattai has gained attention following India’s push for local products, with the government encouraging homegrown alternatives over WhatsApp. Although Zoho has been a familiar name in the market, its messaging app—launched in 2021—is now experiencing a surge in popularity, marking what feels like its “moment to shine.”
The app has climbed the App Store charts, attracted millions of users, and garnered praise for its features. However, challenging WhatsApp, the undisputed leader in messaging, requires more than just a government push. Let’s take a closer look at how Arattai and WhatsApp compare.
Features: What You Get
Both Arattai and WhatsApp offer messaging and calling features, but Arattai adds unique tools such as mentions, pockets, and integrated meetings—similar to Google Meet or Zoom. Its interface is organized into four tabs: Stories, Meetings, Chats, and Calls. WhatsApp, in comparison, uses Chats, Updates, Communities, and Calls.
Both apps are user-friendly, with intuitive layouts that make navigation simple even for first-time users. Multiple device linking is supported on both platforms, but Arattai goes further by offering compatibility with TVs—a feature WhatsApp currently lacks.
Security: Where WhatsApp Leads
On the security front, WhatsApp has the advantage. As a Meta-owned platform, it provides end-to-end encryption (E2E) for all calls, messages, and media, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can access them.
Arattai currently offers E2E encryption for calls, with chat encryption expected in the coming weeks. For now, its messaging security needs strengthening to match the industry standard.
The Meta AI Factor
WhatsApp benefits from direct integration with Meta AI, allowing users to generate images, recipes, travel itineraries, and more through prompts. This can be a compelling reason for users to stick with WhatsApp. However, it also raises privacy concerns, as AI features may be leveraged for ads across Meta’s ecosystem.
Verdict
Arattai is emerging as a strong, feature-rich alternative for users seeking a “Made in India” messaging app. While WhatsApp remains the leader in terms of security, features, and AI integration, Arattai offers enough functionality to make users consider switching—especially in the Indian market.
