Arattai, the homegrown messaging app, has surpassed WhatsApp to claim the number one spot in India. With government encouragement and the “Made in India” tagline, the app has seen massive downloads. The surge in users has put immense pressure on servers, causing technical issues. The company assures users that the app is spyware-free and their data is secure.

Arattai has created a stir in the Indian market by overtaking the messaging giant WhatsApp. Developed entirely with domestic expertise, the app has officially reached number one in the Social Networking category on the Apple App Store, as announced by its parent company Zoho on the social media platform X. This sudden popularity has piqued nationwide interest.

Why the Popularity?
Launched in 2021, the app’s name “Arattai” means “chats” in Tamil. Recently, endorsements by prominent figures such as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan encouraging homegrown digital platforms boosted its visibility. Coupled with the “Spyware-free – Made in India” campaign, it attracted users who prioritize patriotism and data security. Tech entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa even called it “India’s WhatsApp killer.”

Challenges Behind the Success
The unexpected influx of users strained Arattai’s servers, causing delays in OTP delivery, contact syncing issues, and call interruptions. Zoho acknowledged these problems and is working to upgrade server capacity, stating that the issues may take up to two days to resolve.

Currently, Arattai offers end-to-end encryption only for audio and video calls. Unlike WhatsApp, chat encryption is not yet available, though the company plans to introduce this feature soon. Despite this security gap, being a homegrown app and Zoho’s promise not to misuse user data have worked in Arattai’s favor. If it manages to maintain this momentum and overcome technical challenges, Arattai could emerge as a long-term competitor to WhatsApp.