Arattai, the homegrown messaging app developed by Chennai-based Zoho, has rapidly emerged as a rising alternative to WhatsApp, driven by a surge in recent downloads. Now, it appears that the long-discussed idea of cross-platform messaging between communication apps may soon become a reality. WhatsApp is currently testing a new interoperability feature that could allow users to send messages directly to Arattai users without leaving WhatsApp.
The feature, first spotted by WaBetaInfo, is currently being tested among beta users in Europe. If rolled out widely, this update would allow WhatsApp users to communicate with people on third-party messaging apps, making messaging more open and interconnected — similar to how UPI enables seamless transactions across multiple banking apps.
Arattai’s founder, Sridhar Vembu, has been one of the strongest advocates of open messaging standards. He has repeatedly emphasized that messaging apps should work together instead of locking users into isolated platforms. Vembu compared this interoperability to common standards like email protocols and UPI, which allow users to choose their platform without losing communication access.
The timing of WhatsApp’s testing coincides closely with regulatory pressure from the European Union. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), major tech companies classified as “gatekeepers” must allow cross-platform communication to prevent monopolistic control. WhatsApp’s move, therefore, appears to be in line with compliance requirements.
At the moment, the cross-messaging feature supports only one third-party app, BirdyChat, and requires strict adherence to WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption standards. While Arattai does not yet support full end-to-end encryption, the company has stated that encrypted messaging features are currently under development.
There is currently no confirmation on when this cross-platform messaging feature might expand beyond Europe or whether it will be made available in India, where Arattai continues to grow its user base. However, the development indicates a broader shift in the messaging industry — one where user choice, open connectivity, privacy, and app interoperability are becoming central to the future of communication.
As WhatsApp adapts to global regulatory changes, Arattai has a strategic opportunity to strengthen its position as a privacy-focused, India-first messaging solution — potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of digital communication in the country.
