Zoho, a major player in the Indian software industry, launched its chatting app, Arattai, as an alternative to WhatsApp. In October 2025, the app suddenly made headlines when it was downloaded millions of times. People believed India had finally found a strong alternative to Meta’s WhatsApp. Within a few weeks, Arattai broke into the top 100 on Google Play and the App Store, marking a significant achievement for Zoho.
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Rapidly declining popularity and declining data
But this popularity didn’t last long. According to reports, by November 4, 2025, the Arattai app had slipped to 105th place on Google Play and 123rd place on the Apple App Store. Downloads reached 13.8 million in October, compared to just 2.63 million in September. However, by early November, downloads had fallen to just 1.95 lakh. Similarly, the app’s monthly active users also declined—from 4.35 million in October to 4.09 million in November. This indicates that users have returned to WhatsApp after the initial hype.
Growing Collaboration Between the Government and Zoho
Although Zoho’s core business is software development, many of the company’s products are now being adopted by the Indian government. Reportedly, the government has started using Zoho Mail instead of Google’s Gmail. Zoho Mail services have been implemented in many government offices. This clearly shows that Zoho is gradually strengthening its position in India’s digital ecosystem, even though the Arattai app is still struggling.
Why Competing with WhatsApp Is Difficult
Meta’s WhatsApp has been present in the Indian market for over a decade and has become a part of the daily lives of millions of users. Therefore, it is not easy for a new app to break this trust. Arattai boasts good privacy and Indian development, but it doesn’t yet offer the features, network, and interface of WhatsApp. To win user trust, Zoho will need to continuously improve and introduce new features.
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Challenges and Expectations for Indian Apps
Indian users are enthusiastic about adopting “Made in India” products, but long-term use remains a challenge. Arattai’s declining trend shows that success isn’t solely about being indigenous; user experience, trust, and features are also crucial. Nevertheless, initiatives by companies like Zoho are a positive sign for the Indian tech industry.
