The availability of social messaging apps has revolutionised the way we communicate with each other. Today's way of communicating is a profound departure from what messaging and texting used to be in the past.
Users would often communicate with dry texts without any emojis, reels, or context. But what if we were to tell you that the industry stands on the cusp of another revolution-one that could possibly bring users from the go-to choice, WhatsApp, to Arattai.
Arattai, developed by Indian software company Zoho, has gained a lot of attention recently, and many users are curious about how it stacks up against WhatsApp, especially in terms of features, privacy, and day-to-day use.
Arattai stands for "chat" in Tamil. The new app is Zoho's response to the demand for a home-grown messaging app. It offers similar features like text messages, voice notes, media sharing, group chats, stories, and channel broadcasting. It also works across mobile, desktop, and even Android TV. These are additional features that even WhatsApp does not support yet.
Simplicity and Minimalism
Arattai's design has been streamlined to offer users speed and ease of use. Beyond all features, it has been specifically designed to work well with slow internet connections and for users with basic devices. Hence, it would be much more accessible on entry-level phones in places where connectivity might be patchy.
Privacy and Security
While WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption by default on messages, calls, and media-which means only the sender and receiver can read the chats-no one else will have access to them.
Arattai also promises privacy and stores user data only in India. The platform has shared its blueprint to retain all customer data and refrain from selling it for ads or analytics. While early versions of the application lacked full encryption for text messages, Zoho is in pursuit of rolling out end-to-end encryption for individual chats, bringing it closer to industry standards. Group chat encryption and encrypted backups are expected soon.
Features and Missing Elements
Arattai comes with some interesting additions that WhatsApp doesn't have-a "Pocket," a cloud space for storing personal notes and media, and a meetings feature for scheduling video calls. It also avoids ads and heavy AI integrations that are found on WhatsApp.
Since the Arattai ecosystem is younger, it lacks a bunch of third-party integrations. Some advanced WhatsApp features, such as business tools and certain backup options, remain stronger on the older platform. Currently, WhatsApp's global reach triumphs over Arattai, but the Made-in-India alternative will soon be carving out its space as an alternative with fresh ideas and a focus on privacy.
Beyond that, recently the man behind the Arattai app, Sridhar Vembu, replied to a user on X about the development of a new update that will soon be rolled out.
In a more recent move, he took to X to announce an important update on the Arattai app. The company has announced that the Arattai app is now available on Android TV, enabling users to access chats, media, and group conversations directly on their TV screens.
What the Update Means for Users
With the new update, families and groups will be able to use the app in a shared environment. With the new integration, users will be able to:
- View and respond to messages on a larger screen
- Share media such as photos and videos seamlessly during gatherings
- Participate in group chats without relying solely on smartphones