India’s homegrown tech ecosystem continues to gain strength, with more users now turning towards indigenous digital platforms for communication, work, and payments. Among these, Zoho’s Arattai app — a made-in-India alternative to WhatsApp — has been creating quite a buzz recently.
Developed by Zoho Corporation, Arattai (which means ‘chat’ in Tamil) was originally launched as a secure, private messaging app for individuals and businesses. Over time, it has evolved into a feature-rich communication platform for personal and professional use — combining messaging, calls, meetings, and file sharing.
And now, Zoho’s founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has announced a major upcoming feature that could change Arattai’s positioning entirely:
The integration of Zoho Pay, a digital payment system directly within the Arattai app.
This move could make Arattai the first Indian chat app to offer native payments, rivaling WhatsApp Pay, Google Pay, and PhonePe — all within one secure platform.
💬 1. What Is Arattai App?
Arattai is a free instant messaging and calling app developed by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s largest software product companies.
The word “Arattai” literally translates to “chat” — and that’s exactly what it does, but with a strong focus on privacy, performance, and independence from foreign tech ecosystems.
It supports:
End-to-end encrypted messages and calls
Group chats and video meetings
File sharing and cloud-based storage
Business collaboration tools
Unlike WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta and stores much of its data on foreign servers, Arattai is completely made and hosted in India — making it a strong contender for users who prioritize data sovereignty.
🌍 2. Zoho’s Vision Behind Arattai
Zoho’s founder, Sridhar Vembu, has been vocal about building a self-reliant technology ecosystem in India.
His vision with Arattai isn’t just to make “another chat app,” but to create an all-in-one communication and productivity platform for Indian users — one that integrates chat, meetings, payments, and productivity tools into a unified experience.
He often emphasizes the importance of keeping user data within India’s jurisdiction and ensuring that Indian users aren’t dependent on global corporations for essential digital communication.
As part of this larger vision, Zoho has already built an entire ecosystem of apps — Zoho Mail, Zoho WorkDrive, Zoho Books, Zoho CRM — and Arattai fits into this ecosystem as the communication core.
Recently, Sridhar Vembu posted on X (formerly Twitter) revealing Zoho’s latest step in fintech integration. He announced that Zoho has launched its own Point of Sale (POS) devices, capable of accepting:
Credit and debit card payments
UPI-based QR code payments
Sound box confirmations (similar to Paytm devices)
This move signals Zoho’s serious entry into the digital payment infrastructure, directly competing with players like Paytm, Razorpay, and BharatPe.
And here’s where it gets interesting:
Sridhar confirmed that the same payment system will soon be integrated inside Arattai.
That means users will be able to send and receive money, pay merchants, or complete online transactions without leaving the app.
💳 4. Zoho’s POS Devices and Expansion into Fintech
Before we understand how payments will come to Arattai, let’s look at Zoho’s growing fintech foundation.
The company has introduced a Zoho Pay POS device, equipped with:
A digital screen
QR code scanner
Card reader
Built-in speaker for payment confirmation
This device can process both card and UPI payments — and because Zoho builds both the hardware and software layers, it has full control over security and data handling.
According to Sridhar Vembu, this move strengthens Zoho’s foothold in digital transactions, allowing it to later integrate the same secure infrastructure directly into its consumer apps like Arattai.
🪙 5. What Is Zoho Pay?
Zoho Pay is Zoho’s upcoming payment platform designed for:
UPI transactions
QR-based payments
Peer-to-peer transfers
Merchant settlements
It will work similarly to apps like Google Pay or PhonePe but will be embedded into Zoho’s ecosystem — meaning you can use it within Arattai, Zoho Books, or Zoho Commerce.
Sridhar Vembu stated that Zoho Pay is being developed with a strong focus on reliability and regulatory compliance, ensuring it adheres to Indian payment system standards like NPCI’s UPI framework.
💰 6. How Will Payments Work Inside Arattai?
Once Zoho Pay integration rolls out, users will find a Payments tab directly within the Arattai interface.
Here’s what you can expect:
Send or request money directly from chat — similar to how you can share photos or documents.
Pay at shops by scanning QR codes using the phone camera.
Get sound confirmations for successful transactions.
Link your bank account for UPI-based payments.
In simpler terms, if you’re chatting with a friend and need to split a bill, you’ll be able to pay instantly without opening another app.
Let’s move to the next important aspect — why this integration matters for India’s digital future.
🇮🇳 7. Why This Integration Matters for India
The integration of Zoho Pay into Arattai isn’t just a convenience feature — it’s a strategic milestone for India’s digital independence.
Here’s why:
Data stays within India — enhancing national digital security.
Reduces dependency on global players like Meta, Google, and Paytm (which have foreign investors).
Encourages digital inclusion, especially in smaller towns where users prefer Indian-made solutions.
Empowers businesses that already use Zoho’s suite of software tools.
In essence, Arattai could become India’s own secure ecosystem for chatting, collaborating, and transacting — all within one app.
⚖️ 8. Comparison: Arattai Pay vs WhatsApp Pay and Other Apps
Feature
Arattai (Upcoming)
WhatsApp Pay
Google Pay
PhonePe
Ownership
Zoho (India)
Meta (US)
Google (US)
Walmart Group (US)
UPI Integration
Planned
Yes
Yes
Yes
POS Support
Yes (Zoho Devices)
No
Limited
Yes
Sound Box
Yes
No
No
Yes
Data Storage
In India
Abroad
Abroad
Mixed
Privacy Ads
Zero ads
Business messages
Personalized offers
Offers and ads
Ecosystem
Integrated with Zoho Apps
Standalone
Standalone
Standalone
As seen above, Arattai’s edge lies in data localization, integrated ecosystem, and no ad-based monetization model.
🧠 9. Zoho’s Engineering Backbone — The Messaging AV Framework
Many users wonder how Zoho manages to maintain such smooth performance across its products.
The answer lies in something called the Messaging AV Framework, an internal engineering system built and refined by Zoho over the last 15 years.
This proprietary framework handles real-time communication, including:
Instant message delivery
Live call synchronization
Group conferencing and meeting stability
It’s the same underlying system used across Zoho’s apps — from Zoho Meeting to Arattai — making real-time experiences faster and more stable.
🔒 10. Why Arattai’s Backend Is Built for Scale and Security
Arattai’s backend is designed to handle millions of concurrent users without latency.
Key highlights include:
End-to-end encryption for chats and calls
In-house cloud infrastructure managed by Zoho
Minimal third-party dependencies to avoid data leaks
Secure frameworks for payments and authentication
By not relying on external APIs for critical operations, Zoho ensures total control over performance, uptime, and data handling — something few chat apps can claim.
🚀 11. User Growth and Popularity Trends
In recent months, Arattai’s downloads have surged on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Even though the user base isn’t yet as large as WhatsApp’s, the growth trend is promising. The app often ranks among the top trending communication apps in India.
Many users appreciate:
Its lightweight design
Absence of ads
Smooth video calls
Simpler interface than business-heavy apps
As more features like payments, business chat, and integrations roll out, Arattai is expected to attract millions more.
🔮 12. Future Roadmap: What to Expect Next
Sridhar Vembu has hinted that Zoho is not rushing the rollout. The team wants to ensure security, scalability, and user trust before releasing payment features.
Upcoming enhancements may include:
Full Zoho Pay integration (within Arattai chat)
Merchant onboarding for small businesses
Support for digital receipts and bills
Cross-platform synchronization across devices
End-to-end encrypted payment confirmations
Once these features go live, Arattai could evolve from a simple messenger into a complete communication and payment ecosystem — similar to how WeChat functions in China.
❓ 13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is Zoho Pay?
Zoho Pay is Zoho’s own payment platform that will support UPI and QR-based transactions, initially available within Arattai and Zoho’s business products.
Q2. When will payments be available in Arattai?
Zoho has not announced an official release date yet. Sridhar Vembu mentioned they are finalizing integration and will launch once internal testing is complete.
Q3. Will Zoho Pay replace Google Pay or PhonePe?
Not directly — but it aims to offer a localized, privacy-focused alternative that integrates messaging and payments seamlessly.
Q4. Is Arattai safe for digital payments?
Yes. Since Zoho manages its infrastructure and complies with Indian regulations, payments will follow the same security standards as any UPI-based service.
Q5. Will Arattai remain ad-free?
Zoho’s founder has confirmed multiple times that Arattai will remain completely ad-free and not use user data for monetization.
🌟 14. Final Thoughts
The integration of Zoho Pay into Arattai could be a defining moment for India’s digital landscape.
It blends chat, collaboration, and payments — all under an Indian platform that respects user privacy and promotes data independence.
While WhatsApp and GPay dominate the current market, Zoho’s entry into payments through Arattai marks the beginning of a new chapter — one where India’s tech ecosystem builds not just alternatives, but superior, sovereign tools for its people.
If all goes as planned, Arattai could soon become the digital hub for secure communication and financial transactions for millions of Indians.
So far, Zoho’s journey shows that India doesn’t just need to follow — it’s ready to lead.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Payment features mentioned are under development and may change upon public release. Users are advised to download Arattai only from official sources and review permissions before setup.
Tags:
Arattai App, Zoho Pay, WhatsApp Alternative, Indian Apps, Digital Payments, UPI Integration, Sridhar Vembu, Zoho Corporation, Fintech in India, Made in India Tech
Meera is a browser technology analyst with a background in QA testing for web applications. She writes detailed tutorials on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and experimental browsers, covering privacy tweaks, extension reviews, and performance testing. Her aim is to make browsing faster and safer for all.
