In a direct response to user curiosity on social media, Zoho Corporation founder Sridhar Vembu has shed light on the development trajectory of the company's homegrown messaging platform, Arattai. The clarification came after a user on X (formerly Twitter) questioned the relative quiet around the app, contrasting it with the valuation buzz around platforms like Telegram.
Founder's Vision: A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Addressing the query, Sridhar Vembu stated that the team is actively rolling out weekly updates and is immersed in building some very important features. He emphasized a strategic, long-term approach, noting that a more aggressive marketing campaign will commence once the internal team is satisfied with the app's feature set. "This is a marathon. We are geared for it," Vembu posted, underscoring the company's commitment to steady, quality-driven growth rather than hype.
Arattai's Meteoric Rise and Core Features
Launched in 2021 as an Indian rival to Meta's WhatsApp, Arattai—meaning 'chat' in Tamil—gained significant momentum earlier this year. Its profile received a substantial boost when senior Union Ministers, including Piyush Goyal, joined the platform. This was followed by a remarkable surge in September, where the app topped the App Store rankings and registered an impressive 3,50,000 sign-ups in just three days.
The app offers a suite of familiar yet essential features designed for the modern user:
- One-to-one and group chats supporting text, voice notes, and media sharing.
- Audio and video calls secured with end-to-end encryption.
- Multi-device support, extending to desktop and Android TV applications.
- Stories and channels for broadcasting updates to a wider audience.
However, the rapid scaling has presented challenges. The company is actively resolving user-reported issues such as OTP delays, slower contact synchronization, and occasional call glitches, often attributed to server overload during peak growth periods.
Strengthening Privacy with End-to-End Encryption
A critical milestone in Arattai's development was achieved last month with the rollout of system-wide end-to-end encryption. Announcing this significant security upgrade on X, Vembu described it as a "forced upgrade" due to its drastic nature. The implementation required a redesign and underwent extensive internal testing with about 6,000 company employees to identify and fix issues before a wider release.
Vembu's recent comments confirm that Zoho is methodically building Arattai into a robust, feature-complete platform. While currently focused on development and refinement, the stage is being set for a more prominent public presence in the competitive messaging app landscape once the foundational work is solidified.
