Zoho Arattai: A Complete Guide to India’s Homegrown Messaging App
Your trusted local tech partner, Unique Computers, Roorkee, breaks down everything you need to know about the messaging platform that’s taking India by storm.
By Unique Computers, Roorkee | October 2025
What is Zoho Arattai?
Zoho Arattai is a free, instant messaging application developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian technology giant with a proven track record in creating business and productivity software:cite[3]. The name “Arattai” translates from Tamil to mean “chat” or “casual conversation,” which perfectly captures the app’s purpose:cite[4].
Launched softly in 2021, Zoho Arattai saw a massive surge in downloads in 2025, becoming a viral sensation and even ranking number one on the App Store:cite[7]:cite[10]. This growth is partly attributed to a push for digital self-reliance within India, with several government ministers encouraging the use of homegrown apps:cite[7].
From our perspective at Unique Computers, what makes Zoho Arattai particularly noteworthy is its design philosophy. Zoho’s founder, Sridhar Vembu, emphasized that the app is built to run smoothly on low-end devices and slower internet connections, making it highly accessible across India’s diverse digital landscape:cite[10].
Key Features That Make Zoho Arattai Stand Out
While Zoho Arattai offers all the standard features you’d expect—like text messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing—it also includes several unique tools that provide a distinct user experience.
📁 The “Pocket” Feature
This is a dedicated, private cloud storage space within the app. Users can save messages, images, videos, and personal notes here for future reference, keeping them organized and separate from active chats:cite[4]:cite[9]. It’s a more elegant solution than the common workaround of creating a group with yourself on other apps.
🎯 The “Mentions” Tab
Inspired by collaboration tools like Slack, this feature collects all messages where you are mentioned in a group chat into a single, dedicated tab:cite[4]. This is a lifesaver in active groups, ensuring you never miss an important notification.
👥 Robust Meeting Scheduler
Unlike many messaging apps, Zoho Arattai includes a full-fledged meeting feature. You can start instant video calls, join existing meetings, or schedule future meetings directly within the app, reducing the need for separate platforms like Zoom or Google Meet:cite[9].
📺 Android TV App
In a move that puts it ahead of WhatsApp, Zoho Arattai has launched an Android TV version of its app:cite[10]. This allows for a more comfortable and immersive experience for video calls and meetings on a large screen.
🚫 No Forced AI & Ad-Free Experience
In an era where AI is being integrated everywhere, Zoho Arattai keeps the interface clean and simple without automated suggestions:cite[4]:cite[9]. Furthermore, the app is completely free of advertisements, and Zoho assures users that their data will not be used for commercial purposes:cite[4].
💡 Designed for Accessibility
Staying true to its core mission, the app is lightweight and optimized for low bandwidth:cite[10]. This ensures that users with basic smartphones or in areas with unreliable internet can still have a smooth and seamless communication experience.
Security and Data Privacy: A Critical Look
As your local tech advisors in Roorkee, we believe security is non-negotiable. Here’s a transparent breakdown of Zoho Arattai’s security stance.
The app provides end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for voice and video calls, meaning the content of your calls is secure and inaccessible to anyone else:cite[7]. However, it’s important to note that as of October 2025, this level of encryption does not yet extend to text messages:cite[7]:cite[9]. Zoho has stated that they are actively working on rolling out end-to-end encryption for texts, a feature that was part of their original roadmap but was expedited due to the app’s sudden popularity:cite[7].
All user data is stored on servers located within India:cite[3]. Zoho Corporation has a long-standing commitment to user privacy, which is a positive sign. However, some experts have raised questions about how an Indian company might handle data requests from the Indian government:cite[7]. Zoho’s CEO, Mani Vembu, has stated that the company will be transparent with users about any legal obligations while complying with the country’s IT rules:cite[7].
How to Download and Set Up Zoho Arattai
Getting started with Zoho Arattai is straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
- Download: On your Android phone, visit the Google Play Store, or on your iPhone, go to the App Store. Search for “Arattai Messenger” and ensure the developer is listed as “Zoho Corporation” before installing:cite[4]:cite[9].
- Verify Your Number: Open the app, select your country (India), and enter your mobile number. You will receive a one-time password (OTP) to verify your number:cite[3].
- Grant Permissions: The app will request permissions for contacts (to find friends), microphone (for voice messages and calls), camera (for video calls and photos), and notifications (to alert you of new messages). You can manage these in your phone’s settings later:cite[3].
- Set Up Your Profile: Finally, add a profile name and a photo so your contacts can easily recognize you:cite[4].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A single Zoho Arattai group can support up to 1,000 active participants, making it suitable for large communities, teams, and educational purposes:cite[3]:cite[9].
Zoho Arattai differentiates itself with features like the “Pocket” for personal storage, a dedicated “Mentions” tab, a built-in meeting scheduler, an Android TV app, and a firm no-ads policy. It is also designed to be more lightweight and data-friendly than WhatsApp:cite[9]:cite[10].
While voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted, text messages are not as of October 2025. Zoho has announced that full end-to-end encryption for texts is in development. All user data is stored in India:cite[7].
Based on our research, a dedicated desktop app for Zoho Arattai is not yet widely available. However, the recent launch of an Android TV app indicates that Zoho is expanding to new platforms, so a desktop version may be released in the future:cite[10].
This is a common issue on Android due to battery optimization. To fix it, go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > Arattai and ensure “Allow notifications” is on. Also, disable battery optimization for Arattai and enable “Auto-start” if the option is available on your device:cite[3].
Final Verdict from Unique Computers, Roorkee
After a thorough analysis, we find Zoho Arattai to be a promising and robust messaging platform. Its unique features like Pocket and Mentions, combined with its ad-free, lightweight, and user-friendly design, make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a capable Indian-made alternative.
Who is it for? It’s ideal for users who prioritize features that aid organization (Pocket, Mentions), value an ad-free experience, need integrated video meetings, or use devices with limited capabilities or internet speed.
Considerations: The current lack of end-to-end encryption for text messages might be a deciding factor for those who prioritize absolute privacy above all else. However, for the average user looking for a feature-rich and reliable daily messenger, Zoho Arattai is definitely worth trying.
As your local partner in technology, we at Unique Computers, Roorkee, are here to help you navigate these digital choices. Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to us at muneshrke@gmail.com or visit our website at tallysolutions.hardwaresoftware.in.