Brief Summary
The video discusses Arataya, a homegrown Indian messaging app developed by Zoho, which is emerging as a competitor to WhatsApp in India. It highlights Arataya's surge in popularity, its features, and the Indian government's support for it as a "make in India" alternative. The video also points out a key difference between the two platforms: WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for both calls and messages, while Arataya only offers it for calls.
- Arataya's rapid user growth in India.
- Government support for Arataya as a local alternative.
- Comparison of features and encryption between Arataya and WhatsApp.
Introduction: Arataya as a WhatsApp Challenger
WhatsApp is the world's leading online instant messaging platform with over two billion users expected in 2025. However, in India, Arataya, a homegrown app developed by Zoho, is emerging as a strong challenger, with some considering it a potential "WhatsApp killer". Despite WhatsApp's global dominance, Arataya has experienced an explosive surge in popularity within India.
Explosive Growth and Features of Arataya
In September 2025, Arataya witnessed a massive increase in daily sign-ups, jumping from 3,000 to 350,000 in just three days. This surge allowed it to surpass WhatsApp downloads and become India's top app on both Android and iOS platforms. Arataya offers a range of features, including the ability to send text and voice messages, share documents and images, make audio and video calls, and participate in group chats with up to 1,000 participants. The platform also supports dedicated channels, facilitating seamless community connections.
Encryption Differences: Arataya vs. WhatsApp
A key difference between Arataya and WhatsApp lies in their encryption protocols. While Arataya offers end-to-end encryption for calls, the same level of security is not available for messages on the platform. In contrast, WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption for both calls and messages. This distinction could potentially limit Arataya's appeal among privacy-conscious users in India.
Government Support and "Make in India" Initiative
India's Education Minister, Dhindra Pradhan, has encouraged citizens to switch to Arataya, promoting it as a secure and user-friendly "make in India" alternative. This endorsement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to support Swadeshi (make in India) products, encouraging the adoption of local technology alongside global apps. Further support came from Union Minister for Electronics and Information, Ashnoi Vhnav, who announced his switch to Zoho's office suite software, the parent company of Arataya.
Zoho's Background and Global Presence
Zoho, the developer of Arataya, was founded in 1996 by Shrehar Wimbu. The company offers a wide array of products, including cloud-based business, productivity, and communication tools. Today, Zoho stands as a global technology leader with over 10,000 employees, more than 55 products and services, and a presence in over 150 countries, serving over 100 million users.
