Zoho’s Arattai messaging app has taken India by storm, recording a mind-blowing 100-fold surge in daily sign-ups within just three days. But what makes this “Made in India” WhatsApp alternative truly special isn’t just nationalism—it’s the deep engineering foundation and data sovereignty principles that founder Sridhar Vembu recently explained in detail.
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Sridhar Vembu Arattai Phenomenon: From 3,000 to 350,000 Daily Sign-ups
Zoho Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu reported that Arattai experienced a staggering 100-fold increase in new sign-ups over three days, jumping from approximately 3,000 to 350,000 daily users. This explosive growth forced the company to rapidly upgrade infrastructure on an emergency basis, preparing for another potential 100x surge.
The timing couldn’t be more significant—as global concerns about data privacy intensify, Indians are increasingly seeking homegrown alternatives that prioritize security and local control.
What Makes Arattai Different?
| Feature | Arattai | Traditional Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Development | Entirely in India (Chennai HQ) | Often distributed teams |
| Data Hosting | Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai | Centralized global servers |
| Infrastructure | Self-owned hardware | AWS, Azure, Google Cloud |
| Privacy Focus | Data sovereignty guaranteed | Varies by provider |
| Ad Model | Ad-free | Often ad-supported |
| Registration | Mobile number only | Various requirements |
The Technology Stack: Built from Scratch
Unlike many software companies, Zoho owns its hardware and builds its software frameworks in-house, using open-source technologies like Linux and PostgreSQL. This self-reliance represents a fundamental philosophical difference from most tech companies.
No Dependence on Big Tech
Vembu clarified that no Zoho products, including Arattai, are hosted on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Instead, Zoho uses its own infrastructure, employing third-party cloud providers only for regional switching nodes (points of presence) to optimize traffic speed—not for data storage.
This approach allows Zoho to avoid the astronomical costs of hyperscalers while maintaining complete control over its technology stack and user data.
Data Sovereignty: India First
For Indian users, data is hosted in data centers in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, with plans to expand to Odisha. This commitment to data localization ensures that Indian data stays within Indian borders, subject to Indian laws.
Globally, Zoho operates over 18 data centers across the US, Europe, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, each storing data in compliance with local regulations. As Vembu stated, “We are committed to hosting each country’s data in their own jurisdiction.”
For more details about Zoho’s commitment to data sovereignty, visit the official Zoho website or explore our tech innovation coverage on TechnoSports.
Truly Made in India
All Zoho products are developed in India, with the global headquarters in Chennai driving development of 50+ apps used by over 100 million users across 150 countries. As an Indian corporation, Zoho pays taxes in India on its global income despite having offices in over 80 countries.
Addressing the US Address Confusion
Confusion about Zoho’s Indian roots stems from its Apple App Store and Google Play Store developer accounts listing a US office address. Vembu explained this as a legacy from early days when a US-based employee registered the accounts for testing. “We never changed it,” he noted, clarifying that this administrative detail doesn’t reflect Zoho’s operations, which are firmly rooted in India.
Building Technological Independence
Vembu envisions India building its own tech ecosystem, with Arattai as a privacy-focused, locally hosted alternative to global apps. Zoho invests in foundational technologies—browsers, compilers, databases—to reduce reliance on foreign platforms.
This vision extends beyond just creating apps; it’s about building the entire technology stack from the ground up. “We’re building the future of Indian technology,” Vembu emphasized, highlighting self-reliance in an era dominated by foreign tech giants.
The Chennai Innovation Hub
Zoho’s Chennai campus houses many of its 15,000+ employees and serves as the innovation hub crafting everything from business software to Arattai. This concentrated talent pool in one location enables rapid development cycles and seamless collaboration—crucial for handling explosive growth like Arattai’s recent surge.
Features That Matter
Beyond the impressive engineering foundation, Arattai offers practical features that users actually need:
- Integrated video meetings
- End-to-end encryption
- Ad-free experience
- Simple registration (mobile number only)
- Privacy-focused design
- Local data storage
These features position Arattai not just as a patriotic alternative but as a genuinely competitive messaging platform.
The Swadeshi Tech Movement
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s endorsement of Arattai as part of the Swadeshi initiative reflects growing government support for homegrown digital platforms. This movement goes beyond symbolism—it’s about building technological sovereignty that protects national security and economic interests.
Learn more about India’s digital independence initiatives at the Ministry of Electronics and IT website.
What’s Next for Arattai?
With infrastructure being urgently scaled to handle exponential growth, Vembu hints that “a lot more is planned” for Arattai. The platform’s rapid adoption suggests Indian users are ready for a homegrown alternative that doesn’t compromise on features or privacy.
The next few months will determine whether Arattai becomes a sustained competitor to WhatsApp or joins the list of regional alternatives that failed to gain critical mass. Early indicators suggest the former.
FAQs
Q: Is Arattai really developed entirely in India, or does it use foreign technology?
A: Yes, Arattai is genuinely developed entirely in India at Zoho’s Chennai headquarters. Unlike most tech companies that rely on foreign cloud infrastructure like AWS or Azure, Zoho builds everything in-house using open-source technologies like Linux and PostgreSQL. All development, from coding to infrastructure, happens in India with Indian talent. The confusion about US involvement stems from old app store developer accounts registered with a US address years ago—purely administrative, not operational. Zoho pays taxes in India on its global income and operates as an Indian corporation despite its worldwide presence.
Q: Where is my data stored when I use Arattai, and how secure is it?
A: If you’re an Indian user, your Arattai data is stored exclusively in Indian data centers located in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, with expansion planned to Odisha. This ensures complete data sovereignty—your information never leaves Indian borders and remains subject only to Indian laws. Zoho owns its hardware and infrastructure rather than using third-party cloud providers like AWS or Google Cloud, giving them complete control over security. The platform uses end-to-end encryption for messages and maintains a strict privacy-focused approach without ads or data mining for commercial purposes.
