Is Arattai the Indian Alternative to WhatsApp? Complete Review & Comparison
Is Arattai the Indian Alternative to WhatsApp? Complete Review & Comparison
WhatsApp has become our daily lives, and you have been using it for several years and have realised that it is no longer a messaging app. Everything is done on WhatsApp, starting with morning greetings and office news, and up to family circles. However, recently, a new Indian app was made, named Arattai, created by Zoho, that is beginning to gain attention.
The question now arises for many: Is Arattai actually going to replace WhatsApp? We shall take this in an easy, cordial fashion, and find out what is so very much about Arattai--and whether it is anything to change to.
What Is Arattai?
The name of the messaging app is in Tamil, which translates to chat, so Arattai is a rather appropriate name for an Indian-made messaging app. Arattai was created by Zoho Corporation, a popular Indian technology firm with headquarters in Tamil Nadu, and it was designed to be an insecure and easy-to-use communication platform among Indian users.
Upon initial knowledge of it, I assumed: Oh, another WhatsApp clone. However, having used it within several days, I realised that it is not attempting to imitate WhatsApp as a whole; it is all about privacy, simplicity, and local relevance.
My First Impression of Arattai
At the time of my very first download of Arattai, the application felt like WhatsApp, with a well-organised interface and straightforward navigation. You use your mobile number to register, an OTP to confirm, and you are in.
It is a simple, colourful and Indian design. I observed that the chat bubbles, emojis and the general theme were somehow more welcoming than the minimal style used by WhatsApp. It does not have too many features that I actually liked, as in some cases, less is more.
Privacy and Security
This is where Arattai shines. Following the scandalous changes in the privacy policy of WhatsApp several years ago, several users were concerned about the data sharing with Facebook (since the latter is now Meta). Zoho ensured it emphasised the fact that Arattai does not sell user data to other parties.
Messages and calls are also end-to-end encrypted, and thus they can only be read or heard by you and the person you are chatting with. Zoho also says that the servers are situated in India, which implies that your data remains in the country; most Indian users are comfortable with this.
In other words, Arattai is more secretive and open. You do not need to accept the confusing terms and concealed data-sharing policies.
Features Comparison
Although the two apps allow you to chat, call, and share files, they have some minor differences that are worth mentioning.
1. Group Chats and Broadcasts
Arattai allows group chats as well as WhatsApp. One can add several members and mute or pin groups as well. It continues to develop its group management applications, but on daily applications, it is smooth and quick.
2. Voice and Video Calls
Surprisingly, the quality of the call is good. In the process of testing, I realised that Arattai used less data than WhatsApp, and that the audio was of good quality even when in the presence of an average network strength.
3. File Sharing
You are able to share images, videos, and documents, among others. The download and upload speeds are average. The fact that files are stored with a secure cloud, such as that of Zoho, gives a sense of security, which is one of the cool things.
4. Status Feature
At the moment, Arattai does not offer a similar feature to WhatsApp Stories, which is known as Status, but Zoho has already said that it will soon. At the present moment, you can continue sharing photos and updates in the chats.
5. Multi-Device Support
This is one area that Arattai should work on. WhatsApp is web and desktop-compatible, whereas Arattai is mobile only. Zoho, however, intends to implement web access in the near future.
Why Arattai Feels Proudly Indian
It is a kind of heartwarming to use an app created by an Indian company to target the Indian people. Even minor details, such as the support of the local language and Tamil name, render it familiar.
I was impressed that it works quite well even with low-end smartphones, a concern that demonstrates that Zoho is access-conscious. The application is not battery-consuming or data plan-consuming, and this is a major advantage to users in smaller towns and the countryside.
Furthermore, as Zoho is a privacy-first company, they do not care about displaying advertisements or using your data to make a profit. It is a refreshingly welcome change in the app world today.
Real-World Experience
I attempted to convince my family group to abandon WhatsApp and replace it with Arattai — the majority of them agreed to the idea, but some of them were reluctant. Why? Since everybody is already on WhatsApp.
Network effect is the biggest challenge of Arattai. Unless the app is exceptional, it is difficult to displace something that is already well entrenched in life. Nonetheless, with more individuals seeking safer and Indian-made alternatives, Arattai can stand a real opportunity to expand.
Final Verdict: Should You Switch to Arattai?
And, yes, in case you value privacy, simplicity, and you want to support Indian technology, then yes, Arattai is worth trying. It is neither seeking to be flashy nor cluttered, but it is clean, safe, and easy to use.
However, when it comes to keeping in touch with your friends, family, work team, etc., this is probably where WhatsApp is still necessary right now. Arattai is the best second app, or even the first app personal communication.
Personally, I’ve kept both. I use WhatsApp at work and Arattai for talking to close friends. It is a good mix, and, frankly, it is pleasant to be able to support a product within the country.
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