Zoho Arattai aims to become interoperable like UPI, allowing cross-platform messaging.
Zoho’s messaging app, Arattai, is quickly becoming popular in India. In just a few days, it has seen over 100 times more downloads and sign-ups. People are calling it the first made-in-India WhatsApp alternative, and even India’s IT and Union Ministers have supported it.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu said the company wants Arattai to be like UPI. This means users could send messages across different apps instead of being limited to one app like WhatsApp. Vembu shared this on X and said Zoho does not want the app to be a closed system.
Vembu explained that Zoho is working with iSpirt, the group that helped create UPI, to set up messaging rules and standards for Arattai. UPI changed India’s payment system, allowing cross-platform transactions, with over 13 billion transactions in August 2025 alone.
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He also mentioned that Sharad Sharma, co-founder of iSpirt and a long-time friend, will guide Zoho to make messaging interoperable across platforms.
“Messaging systems need to be interoperable like UPI and email, and not closed like WhatsApp today,” Vembu said. He added that Zoho does not want Arattai to become a monopoly.
Currently, apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal do not let users chat across platforms. This limits choices and makes people dependent on single apps.
Experts say open messaging standards could change India’s messaging scene, just like UPI changed payments. It would allow more innovation, reduce dependence on one app, and give users more options.
If Arattai allows cross-platform messaging, people could send messages to anyone, no matter which app they use. This could also help smaller companies innovate and give users more freedom.
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Government data shows UPI’s open system has over 350 million active users monthly across apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. Experts believe a similar approach in messaging could boost Indian innovation and choice.
Vembu’s plan also supports India’s goal of digital independence, encouraging local solutions instead of relying on foreign apps. This could reduce dependency on global messaging giants while helping local tech grow.
Zoho Arattai is more than just another messaging app. By making it interoperable like UPI, it could reshape India’s messaging ecosystem. Users could soon enjoy cross-platform messaging, more options, and a homegrown WhatsApp alternative.
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