Sridhar Vembu breaks silence on Aarattai app, says Zoho is working on some very important features
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu revealed the ongoing weekly updates for the Aarattai chat app. The company is planning a marketing push once the feature set is complete, which is indicative of a patient long-term strategy.
Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has finally offered an update on homegrown chat app Aratai, which has made a splash in India over the past few years as a privacy-focused alternative to WhatsApp. Responding to a question from an “We are updating weekly. We are working on some very important features,” Vembu wrote in an ex-post. He said, “Once we feel we’re satisfied with the feature set we’ll bring more of it to market! It’s a marathon. We’re ready for it.”
This response came after an Vembu’s reply, while keeping the upcoming features a secret, makes it clear that the Chennai-based software company is in no rush to chase viral traction.
long game for arattai
Vembu’s “marathon” metaphor neatly sums up Zoho’s philosophy. The company, which has famously avoided venture capital and advertising-heavy development, has been quietly nurturing Aratai since its beta launch in early 2021.
Aarattai – which literally means “chit-chat” in Tamil – was introduced during India’s COVID-19 lockdown as a secure messaging platform built by the Zoho team. Over time, it added many features familiar to messaging users: encrypted one-on-one and group chats, voice and video calls, media sharing, cloud backup, contact sync, and even disappearing messages.
Recently, the app has introduced multi-device login, custom themes, and tight integration with Zoho’s ecosystem specifically for users of Zoho Mail and Zoho Workplace. The company is also testing rich media sharing options and advanced group management tools for small businesses and teams, which already rely on Zoho’s productivity apps.
Despite these updates, Aratai remains relatively low-key compared to messaging giants like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. However, this appears to be a deliberate choice. Vembu’s post suggests that Zoho wants to improve the product before pursuing mass marketing. In typical Zoho fashion, the focus is on engineering depth and long-term user trust rather than chasing downloads.
having a cool comeback
Industry watchers have long speculated about the next chapter of Aarattai. The app was initially seen as a bold local alternative to global messaging giants, especially as the privacy debate was at its peak in 2021. Since then, Zoho has remained largely silent, focusing on its enterprise and cloud products.
Now, with Vembu hinting at “very important features” and a steady rhythm of weekly updates, there’s reason to believe Aratai could be ready for a refresh in 2026. Some users have reported beta tests for smart file sharing and better cross-device sync, while others have seen signs of integration with Zoho Click, the company’s internal communications tool. If those developments materialize, Aratai could evolve into a unique blend of consumer and enterprise messaging.
