Zoho, an Indian tech company, has launched Arattai, a new messaging and calling app, positioning it as a direct Indian alternative to WhatsApp. The app boasts features like voice and video calling, group chats, channels, stories, and online meetings. It has officially become the number one social networking app on the app store, surpassing WhatsApp shortly after its launch. The company claims that the app is designed to run smoothly even on low-end devices and weak networks. This article explores the key features of the Arattai app and highlights how it differs from WhatsApp.
Arattai allows users to engage in 1-to-1 chats, group chats, and media sharing. It also provides options to send voice notes, photos, videos, and documents. Users can directly initiate voice or video calls from within their chats.
Beyond basic chatting, Arattai offers group discussions, channels, stories, and meetings. Users can schedule online meetings, add co-hosts, and set time zones. The app is available for desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) and even Android TV.
The company states that voice and video calls on Arattai are fully end-to-end encrypted. However, messaging encryption is not fully rolled out at this time. Users are advised to avoid sharing sensitive information until the full encryption is implemented. Installing the updated version will improve security and performance.
Android users can download Arattai Messenger (Zoho Corporation) from the Google Play Store. iPhone users can download it from the Apple App Store. Both Android and iOS versions can also be accessed through the official website.
After installation, users will need to verify their mobile number with an OTP. The app will then request access to contacts, the camera, and the microphone. An account is activated by adding a profile name and photo. Arattai automatically syncs contacts and can send invitations via SMS to non-users.
Arattai offers several key features that set it apart:
1. Online Meetings Support: Unlike WhatsApp, which only offers calls and group chats, Arattai allows users to schedule meetings and add co-hosts.
2. Android TV Support: Users can run Arattai on larger screens, while WhatsApp does not officially support TV.
3. Performance on Low-End Devices: The app is designed to run well on slow networks and basic smartphones, while WhatsApp can struggle.
4. Channels and Stories: Arattai combines channels and stories for broadcasting, whereas WhatsApp has a status feature.
5. Desktop and Multi-Platform Access: Arattai supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and device pairing is simple. WhatsApp offers web and desktop versions, but lacks Linux support.