Zoho Launches Arattai for Business App to Compete With WhatsApp

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has launched a new messaging app called Arattai-for-Business to let companies talk to customers and workers. The announcement came on Thursday, October 2, as the homegrown platform moves past regular consumer chats. The company also released the Arattai Business Platform to link business software and automation systems with the app.

Pricing and Free Access

Zoho has not yet shared public pricing details for other companies. However, the platform will be free for government and public services such as the Railways. Healthcare and educational institutions will get an allowance of one million messages per month at no cost. The app is built in India, designed for Indian businesses, and is now available to download on the Google Play Store after being spotted there last month.

Features and Background

The app offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, device and data-synced chatting, and ownership tools for internal and customer communication. The word "Arattai" means casual conversation or chit-chat in Tamil. The app previously gained attention last year by briefly reaching the top spot in Indian app stores as a local alternative to WhatsApp.

Context

This new platform arrives as Meta introduces new pricing for WhatsApp Business, prompting companies to look for alternative communication tools. Indian technology firms are increasingly building local software solutions to cater to domestic market needs and data rules.