Arattai, India’s very own messaging app, is starting to make a name for itself as a local alternative to WhatsApp. The app, created by Chennai-based company Zoho, has seen a big rise in downloads over the past month. Its founder, Sridhar Vembu, has been openly talking about how different messaging apps should be able to talk to each other, just like UPI works across all payment apps.
Now, WhatsApp seems to be moving in that direction. Reports from WaBetaInfo say WhatsApp is testing a new feature that could let users send messages to people using other apps, like Arattai, without leaving WhatsApp. Right now, this feature is being tested only in Europe and works with one third-party app called BirdyChat. But if it rolls out more widely, WhatsApp users might soon be able to chat with Arattai users directly, no app-switching needed.
Sridhar Vembu has been pushing this idea for a while. In September, he said that messaging apps should work together and not stay closed off. He compared it to how UPI and email systems connect easily across different platforms. He also said that Zoho doesn’t want Arattai to become a monopoly, but rather part of an open system where everyone can communicate freely.
So why is WhatsApp suddenly making this move? The reason seems to be pressure from the European Union. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, big tech companies like WhatsApp must open their systems so users can communicate across different apps. This rule is meant to stop monopolies and give smaller platforms a fair chance.
To make this work safely, WhatsApp requires all other apps that connect with it to meet its strict encryption standards to protect user privacy. Arattai doesn’t yet have full end-to-end encryption, but Zoho has said it plans to add that soon.
For now, the cross-platform messaging feature is limited to Europe, and there’s no confirmation about when or if it will come to India. That gives Arattai more time to grow its user base and strengthen its features while WhatsApp adapts to new regulations.
If this change eventually reaches India, it could completely reshape how people use messaging apps, making it as easy to chat across platforms as it is to send money across UPI today.