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SMS to Arattai

From SMS to Arattai: The Evolution of Chat Apps and Why Building One Today Makes Sense

How did chatting become an everyday essential?

If you rewind just 15 years, communication was still dominated by SMS and phone calls. Each text cost money, and multimedia messages (remember MMS?) were even more expensive. That’s when internet-based chat applications started gaining ground.

Apps like Yahoo Messenger, Orkut chat, and later BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) made it cool to ping friends instantly without worrying about balance deductions. Soon after, WhatsApp arrived with a simple promise: “No ads, no gimmicks, just free messaging.” That little green app changed the way the world communicates forever.

  1. Why did WhatsApp become so popular?

    India loves homegrown solutions, and Arattai, developed by Zoho Corporation, has emerged as a desi alternative to WhatsApp. The name itself means “chat” in Tamil, and the app is marketed as Made in India, secure, and privacy-friendly.

    Some reasons why Arattai is trending now:

    • Government push for swadeshi apps – Aatmanirbhar Bharat has created curiosity around local tech.
    • Privacy concerns – Users are increasingly worried about data sharing with global giants.
    • Recent surge in adoption – The app saw a 100x spike in downloads in just a few days, even topping app stores.
    • Zoho’s credibility – As a respected Indian SaaS giant, Zoho already enjoys trust.
    WhatsApp vs Arattai: How do they compare?
    Feature WhatsApp Arattai
    User Base 2B+ worldwide Growing fast in India
    Calls Voice, Video, Group Voice, Video
    Messages Fully encrypted (end-to-end) Encrypted, still evolving
    Business Tools WhatsApp Business, Payments Early stage
    Global Reach Widely used across continents Primarily India-focused
    Cloud Infra Meta’s global infra Zoho’s own data centers in India
    USP Network effect & reliability Made-in-India, privacy focus

    Both apps serve the same fundamental purpose—chatting—but their positioning is different. WhatsApp dominates globally, while Arattai is trying to capture the “local, secure, swadeshi” narrative.

  2. So, is this the right time to build a chat application?

    With millions of users exploring alternatives to WhatsApp, the market is open for fresh, innovative chat apps that can:

    • Be hyper-local (target specific regions/languages).
    • Offer strong privacy guarantees.
    • Provide unique features like community chats, integrated payments, or social media-like channels.
    • Scale to millions of users with robust infrastructure.

    The demand for secure, scalable, and feature-rich messaging platforms has never been higher.

  3. How Xaylon Labs Pvt Ltd can help you build the next big chat app

    At Xaylon Labs, we specialize in creating scalable, robust, and future-ready applications. Whether you want to build something like WhatsApp, Arattai, or your own unique twist on a messaging platform, we can help you with:

    • Custom chat app development (1-on-1, groups, channels, voice & video calls).
    • End-to-end encryption & security compliance.
    • Cloud scalability – ensuring your app can handle millions of concurrent users.
    • Cross-platform availability – Android, iOS, and web.
    • Integration with AI, payments, or enterprise tools.
    • Ongoing support & feature upgrades to keep you competitive.

    In short, if you have the vision, we have the expertise to make it a reality.

  4. FAQs
    • Can a new chat app really compete with WhatsApp?
      Yes. While WhatsApp has the user base, niche apps with unique features or local focus (like Arattai) can build strong communities.
    • How much does it cost to develop a chat application?
      It depends on features. A basic app may start from $10,000, while a feature-rich platform can cost much more.
    • How long does it take to build?
      Typically 3–6 months for an MVP, depending on complexity.
    • Do users really care about privacy?
      Increasingly, yes. Apps like Signal, Telegram, and now Arattai are proof that privacy is a selling point.
    • Why choose Xaylon Labs?
      Because we focus on Performance, Productivity, and Precision — the three values we bring into every line of code.

Final Thought

Chatting has moved from being a luxury to an absolute necessity in our daily lives. From WhatsApp’s rise to Arattai’s new wave, the story is clear—people are always open to better, faster, and safer ways to connect.

And the next big chat app? Well, that could be yours. Let’s build it together at Xaylon Labs Pvt Ltd.