Five Unique Features That Make Arattai Different From WhatsApp
India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai has recently gained a lot of attention, positioning itself as a strong alternative to WhatsApp. After Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan encouraged people to support the app, its user base has grown significantly. What makes Arattai special is that it offers certain features you won’t find on WhatsApp, making it stand out in the messaging space.
Here’s a look at the five unique features of Arattai that give it an edge over WhatsApp.
1. Meetings Integration
While WhatsApp allows video and voice calls, Arattai takes things a step further with its built-in Meetings feature. This option works much like Google Meet or Zoom, letting users host or join virtual meetings directly within the messaging app.
The Meetings button is conveniently located on the bottom dock, allowing instant access. Users can start a meeting on the spot, join an ongoing one, or even schedule a meeting in advance. This eliminates the need to rely on multiple apps for video conferencing and team discussions, making Arattai more versatile for both personal and professional use.
2. Pocket Feature
WhatsApp users often send messages to themselves to save important notes, photos, or files. Arattai simplifies this process with its Pocket feature.
This acts as a private cloud storage space, where users can save messages, photos, videos, and other essential documents securely. Think of it as a personal locker built into the app, ensuring that you never lose important information and don’t have to depend on third-party apps for storage.
3. Mentions Tab
Notifications on WhatsApp can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to miss messages where you are directly tagged in group chats. Arattai addresses this with its Mentions feature, similar to what’s available on workplace platforms like Slack.
This feature gives users a dedicated list of all messages where they have been mentioned, ensuring they never miss anything important in group conversations. For busy professionals and active group chat users, this feature can save both time and effort.
4. No Ads, Privacy First
One of the biggest frustrations for WhatsApp users has been the presence of ads and its data-sharing practices with Meta, its parent company. WhatsApp now also places ads and promotional content in certain sections like the “Updates” tab.
Arattai, on the other hand, proudly offers a 100% ad-free experience. The company has assured users that their personal data is stored securely within data centers in India and is not shared for advertising purposes.
In addition, Arattai provides end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, much like WhatsApp, ensuring that private conversations remain protected.
5. No Forced AI Integration
Meta has been introducing various AI-powered tools in WhatsApp and other platforms, often without giving users the choice to disable them. Features like AI search assistants appear by default, which some users find unnecessary and intrusive.
Arattai takes a different approach. As of now, the app has no forced AI features. While the company may consider AI tools in the future, it has suggested that these will remain optional and not imposed on users. This gives users more freedom and control over their messaging experience.
Why Arattai Stands Out
In an age where most global platforms are heavily monetized and driven by ads or AI, Arattai focuses on simplicity, privacy, and user choice. With features like integrated meetings, personal cloud storage, ad-free usage, and optional AI, the app is carving out a distinct identity for itself in the Indian market.
For users seeking a more transparent and user-friendly messaging app, Arattai could be a refreshing alternative to WhatsApp. Its emphasis on local data storage and user-first features makes it especially appealing to those who value privacy and convenience.
