India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai, developed by Zoho, is rapidly emerging as a strong alternative to WhatsApp, topping the social networking category on app stores. It offers several unique features that distinguish it from WhatsApp and contribute to its growing popularity in India.
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Online Meeting Feature: Unlike WhatsApp, which mainly supports calls and group chats, Arattai enables users to schedule online meetings, add co-hosts, and set time zones. This adds a productivity dimension, making it useful for professional use alongside personal messaging.
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Android TV Support: Arattai supports Android TV, allowing users to access messaging and calls on larger screens—something WhatsApp currently lacks. This enhances the user experience for TV users.
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Optimized for Low-End Devices and Slow Networks: Arattai runs smoothly on weak internet connections and lower-end smartphones, unlike WhatsApp which can lag or hang under such conditions. This makes Arattai ideal for users in smaller towns or rural India where high-speed internet is not always available.
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Channels and Stories: While WhatsApp’s status feature allows updates, Arattai combines channels and stories for a more engaging way to share content on a larger scale, appealing to users who want to broadcast messages and updates professionally or personally.
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Multi-Platform and Desktop Access: Arattai supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android TV, with easy device pairing. WhatsApp offers desktop but lacks official Linux support and Android TV compatibility. This multi-platform flexibility appeals to business users and tech-savvy individuals.
Arattai emphasizes privacy, storing user data in India under strict data sovereignty rules and refraining from monetizing user data, unlike WhatsApp’s ad-linked data policies. While WhatsApp still leads globally with over 3 billion users, Arattai’s India-centric approach, lighter app size, and multi-device support make it a compelling alternative, especially amid rising calls for local technology solutions.
In summary, Arattai’s advanced meeting features, TV support, strong performance on slow networks, unique content-sharing options, and robust multi-platform compatibility position it as a promising Indian alternative to WhatsApp, especially for users prioritizing privacy, accessibility, and versatility.
