Arattai, the Indian messaging platform created by Zoho, is gaining significant traction as it rises in app store rankings across the nation. Launched discreetly in 2021, the app is now attracting attention due to the increasing need for secure, spyware-free messaging alternatives to international platforms. Its branding as a “made-in-India, privacy-first” service strongly resonates with users. Zoho’s founder, Sridhar Vembu, reported that the response has far surpassed expectations, with daily sign-ups skyrocketing from 3,000 to an incredible 350,000 within just three days. Vembu noted on X, “We experienced a 100x surge in Arattai traffic in three days. We are working to expand our infrastructure for another potential 100x increase.
That is how exponential growth operates.” Engineers are diligently addressing issues and preparing for a wider rollout planned for November. The swift rise of Arattai has rekindled conversations about whether Zoho should go public, allowing everyday investors to share in its success. Investor Venkatesh Alla has openly supported this idea. However, Vembu contends that Arattai might not have materialized under the pressures faced by public companies. He stated, “Arattai would very likely not have been developed by a public company that is subject to quarter-to-quarter financial scrutiny.” He described the app as a “hopelessly foolish” endeavor, even met with skepticism from employees, stressing that Zoho created it because India needed such engineering capabilities.
“This type of long-term research and development cannot thrive under quarterly market pressures,” Vembu remarked. He also characterized Zoho’s unique work ethos as notably frugal, particularly among its founders and senior leaders, comparing it to the priorities of ISRO scientists who focus on the long-term vision rather than immediate gains. “We essentially disregard short-term profits, as long as we do not incur losses,” he stated, noting the challenge of communicating this philosophy to financial markets. Vembu elaborated that Zoho operates more like a self-funded research lab than a traditional software company, investing in diverse projects, including chip design, compilers, operating systems, robotics, AI, and security.
While many of these ventures may not deliver quick returns, they are crucial for building long-term capabilities. Arattai offers users a comprehensive range of features, such as messaging, calls, voice notes, media sharing, and even support for Android TV. Its commitment to privacy remains its strongest appeal, with assurances that user data will not be monetized. End-to-end encryption for calls is already implemented, and chat encryption is in development. Despite its rapid growth, Arattai has encountered some technical challenges, such as OTP delays and syncing issues. Vembu acknowledged these problems and reassured users that infrastructure enhancements and app refinements are underway. “We have all hands on deck working tirelessly,” he affirmed.