The Zoho-backed homegrown messaging platform Arattai has achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing 7.5 million downloads across Google Play Store and Apple App Store as of October 3, 2025, signaling one of the fastest adoption rates for a local app in recent times. This viral surge, driven by endorsements from Union ministers like Ashwini Vaishnaw, Piyush Goyal, and Dharmendra Pradhan, as well as industrialist Anand Mahindra, has propelled Arattai to the top of India’s social networking charts, outpacing global giants like WhatsApp and Telegram in daily sign-ups. For tech enthusiasts, digital self-reliance advocates, and app developers searching Arattai 7.5 million downloads, Zoho Arattai viral growth 2025, or Made-in-India messaging app, the platform’s success—from 3,000 to 350,000 daily sign-ups in three days—stems from its privacy focus, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for calls, and seamless cross-platform experience, all built on Zoho’s 15-year engineering expertise. With over 1 million monthly active users and infrastructure scaled to handle 2 million daily sign-ups, Arattai is challenging WhatsApp’s 535 million Indian users by emphasizing “simple, secure” communication. Zoho chief scientist Sridhar Vembu hailed the team’s resilience after five years of development, while Mahindra’s “with pride” download post amplified the Swadeshi sentiment.
Arattai’s rise reflects India’s push for indigenous tech, with ministers urging citizens to embrace local alternatives amid privacy concerns over global apps.
Arattai’s Viral Trajectory: From 3,000 to 7.5 Million in Weeks
Arattai, soft-launched in January 2021 as a WhatsApp alternative amid privacy policy uproar, exploded in September 2025 with endorsements from key figures. Daily sign-ups jumped 100-fold from 3,000 to 350,000 in three days, straining Zoho’s servers and prompting rapid scaling. By October 3, downloads hit 7.5 million (7.5 million registered accounts), topping Apple’s App Store social networking charts in India.
- Endorsements: Vaishnaw, Goyal, and Pradhan called it “secure and easy”; Mahindra downloaded “with pride.”
- Infrastructure: Scaled from 3,000 to 350,000 daily users; now handles 2 million.
- Charts Dominance: No. 1 in social networking on iOS; top 5 on Android.
Vembu tweeted: “All of you have worked hard for over 5 years… Allow neither praise nor criticism to distract you.”
| Milestone | Date | Downloads/Sign-Ups |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Launch | Jan 2021 | Minimal |
| Viral Surge | Sep 2025 | 3,000 to 350,000 Daily |
| Total Downloads | Oct 3, 2025 | 7.5 Million |
| MAU | Late 2025 | 1 Million+ |
Core Features: Privacy-First Messaging and Calls
Arattai (“casual chat” in Tamil) offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, groups, channels, and file sharing, built on Zoho’s enterprise-grade infrastructure.
- Security: E2EE for calls (text E2EE in development); no data sharing with third parties.
- Usability: Cross-platform (Android/iOS/web); simple UI for all ages.
- Differentiation: Focus on Indian languages; no ads or data mining.
Despite topping charts, it lags WhatsApp’s 535.8 million Indian MAU by 0.18%, per Counterpoint Research.
Challenges and Outlook: WhatsApp Rivalry and Sustainability
Arattai’s growth faces hurdles:
- Network Effects: WhatsApp’s 2.95 billion global users create stickiness.
- Features Gap: Lacks advanced tools like payments; E2EE for text pending.
- Sustainability: Viral hype must convert to retention; Zoho’s experience aids.
Analysts predict 10 million MAU by FY26 if features match competitors.
Conclusion: Arattai’s Swadeshi Surge
Arattai’s 7.5 million downloads in weeks is a Made-in-India triumph, fueled by endorsements and privacy focus. As Zoho scales, it challenges WhatsApp. For digital India, it’s inspiration—will retention follow? The chats multiply. ET
