Arattai Messenger, developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation and launched in 2021, has reached the number one spot in Apple’s App Store Social Networking category for free apps as of September 27, 2025.
The app’s rise follows endorsement by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who urged adoption of Indian alternatives to foreign platforms like WhatsApp, amid India’s push for self-reliance in technology.
While users praise its privacy features and ad-free experience, reports highlight signup glitches and limited contacts due to the sudden surge, with Zoho pledging infrastructure enhancements and new features.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan endorsed Zoho Corporation’s Arattai messaging app as a secure, Made-in-India alternative to WhatsApp, leading to its rise in App Store rankings.
Developed by founder Sridhar Vembu in Chennai since 2021, the app features end-to-end encryption, no ads, and support for low-bandwidth networks with data stored on Indian servers. Online discussions have focused on the app’s Tamil name ‘Arattai,’ meaning chit-chat, with some users questioning its pronunciation for wider adoption while others defend it against perceived linguistic bias in India’s diverse regions.