How to Build an App Like Arattai?

Heard of “WhatsApp Killer” – yes, we’re talking about Arattai, the Indian-based messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation. Arattai has recorded a massive surge in its popularity in the chat app market. And if you’re planning to step into messaging app development like Arattai, this is the perfect time. 

The global instant messaging and chat software market is booming. In 2024, it’s valued at $28.9 billion and is projected to reach $64.3 billion by 2033, growing at a healthy CAGR of 9.3%. This rapid growth shows that more businesses and consumers are relying on messaging platforms for communication, collaboration, and engagement.

In today’s guide, we’ve covered everything from scratch on how to create a chat app, the development process, features, overall development cost, and much more. 

Let’s get into the details!

What is Arattai?

Sounds like quite a unique name, doesn’t it? Essentially, Arattai is a Tamil word meaning ‘casual talk’ or ‘chit-chat,’ referring to communication with friends or family. 

Launched in 2021, Arattai is Zoho’s messaging app designed to offer a simpler, local, and privacy-focused communication experience. Designed as a cross-platform alternative to global messaging apps like WhatsApp. In an astonishing growth, Arattai’s daily sign-ups skyrocketed from 3,000 a day to a staggering 350,000, within three days. 

What makes Arattai apart from its competitors? It offers a fast, secure, and reliable messaging app, even on low-end smartphones and unstable internet connections. This adds a significant advantage to Arattai, particularly in emerging markets.

Building an app like Arattai means tapping into a growing messaging app market of users who value innovation, privacy, and performance. Moreover, it’s about connecting people with limited connectivity and affordable smartphones. 

Top 12 Features to Include in Your Messaging App Like Arattai

We’ve discussed must-have features you can consider for your messaging app like Arattai. Let’s learn:

1. Seamless Onboarding

Arattai offers easy, fast, and seamless onboarding with a simple, guided process. Every step is intuitive and user-friendly – from verifying your phone number to setting up your profile. The app walks you through granting essential permissions—like access to contacts, calls, and storage—so you can start chatting, calling, and sharing instantly.

When creating a messaging app like Arattai, ensure you integrate a seamless onboarding experience that avoids confusion and technical barriers. It will help provide a great user experience with the app —smooth and welcoming.

2. Instant Messaging

The heart of any messaging app is real-time chat. Users expect messages to send instantly, with read receipts and typing indicators—and Arattai not only offers this but also more (like reactions, mentions, & more). 

It’s not just about speed—it’s about creating a smooth, fluid conversation experience, like talking face-to-face but digitally. You can integrate an instant messaging app that offers users a modern & advanced touch. 

3. Meetings

Another interesting feature that Arattai has integrated into its messaging app is “Meetings” for video or audio calls. It allows users to schedule, join, and host virtual meetups just like Google Meet or Zoom. 

Moreover, users can schedule meetings, join via invites, and integrate seamlessly with the chat system. Also, it offers a “Meetings” feature that lets you host or add up to 250 participants. It includes a host, 10 co-hosts, and 250 attendees. This feature works perfectly for remote team meetings or group discussions. 

4. Pocket (Personal Cloud Storage)

A personal cloud storage feature lets users store important files, photos, and documents securely within the app. This “Pocket” ensures users have access to their data anytime, anywhere, without switching to another cloud service. Moreover, this feature allows users to save content such as videos, photos, and messages within the app. 

5. Group Chat & Communities

Arattai offers two types of features – group chats (for smaller groups) & private circles & channels (for broadcasting content to large groups). 

Also, its group chats can accommodate up to 1,000 members, compared to other popular messaging platforms. It contains advanced admin controls such as muting users, pinning messages, and promoting moderators. 

Note that public channels allow anyone, including non-Arattai users, to check messages or content. It helps to expand reach and boost engagement with a broader audience. On the other hand, private channels are more accessible to approved subscribers. 

6. Voice & Video Calls

Arattai offers voice & video calls (similar to WhatsApp) with features such as one-to-one & group chats. Users can have a voice & video call with up to 50 people. Users can create, join, and schedule meetings directly within the messaging app. 

7. Notifications

Arattai’s notification feature is designed to offer flexibility and control. Users can customize alerts for direct messages, group chats, and channels, including notification previews and sounds. 

A standout feature is the “Mentions Tab,” which gathers all messages that mention a user, ensuring important notifications don’t get lost in busy group chats. On top of that, Arattai supports integrations with third-party tools like IFTTT, letting you automate notifications and streamline updates across your channels.

8. Mentions

Arattai’s mention feature collects all messages that reference a user. It works exactly like Slack’s mention feature. This feature helps to track conversations without getting lost in group chats. For busy teams or active communities, this is a huge time-saver. 

9. Multilingual Support

Integrating multilingual support in a messaging app enables users to interact in their preferred language. This helps to expand your app’s accessibility and makes everyone feel involved and included. The best part is that multilingual support lets your messaging app reach global audiences. 

10. Security & Privacy

Arattai highly prioritize security & privacy, and so their voice & video calls are fully end-to-end encrypted. When building a chatting app like Arattai, you must consider integrating secure login, two-factor authentication, & safe file sharing.  Privacy-first policies reassure users that their data won’t be misused, which is a significant trust factor.

11. No Ads

No one likes intrusive advertisements – and that’s what Arattai has perfectly implemented in their messaging apps. Arattai does not show pop-up ads or sell user data, which enhances the user experience. Currently, their primary focus is building a large user base rather than immediate monetization.

12. Multi-Device Access

Arattai’s platform offers broad multi-device access. This means you can operate on iOS, Android, desktops (Windows, Linux, Mac), computers, and Android TV (which WhatsApp’s multi-device feature can’t fully match). 

You can manage your account on up to five devices at once, and with its built-in personal cloud storage, “Pocket,” all your files and data stay accessible no matter which device you’re using. With robust backend infrastructure, users can retain contacts & conversations from anywhere. 

Step-by-Step Process of Messaging Development App Like Arattai

Let’s delve into the development process of a messaging app like Arattai: 

Step 1: Discovery & Planning

Of course, every successful messaging app like Arattai requires a solid foundation. We at Apptunix start the development process with the discovery & planning stage. In this phase, we focus on defining the app’s purpose, audience, and unique value proposition. The development team conducts detailed market research including – defining core product vision, identifying compliance & legal needs, competitor analysis, and other factors. Based on this, our expert strategists build a strategic roadmap that includes a feature list, user journeys, a technology stack, and an estimated budget. By the end of the process, you’ll have a clear vision, a detailed app specification, and a timeline to guide the entire development. 

Deliverables

• Product brief / PRD (prioritized features, user flows).
• MVP scope and success metrics (DAU, retention, message delivery SLA).
• Risk register & mitigation plan.
• Project plan and sprint roadmap.

Estimated cost: $4k–$8k · 1–4 weeks

Step 2: UX UI Design

Now, this is another crucial stage where our best UX UI designers bring your vision to life. This stage focuses on creating user-friendly interfaces that ensure a seamless experience across all devices. Our top mobile app designers work on wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize how your messaging app will look and function. Also, the UX/UI team gives special attention to the onboarding process, multi-device setup, chat layout, and accessibility. The goal is to make the app not only visually appealing but also easy to navigate, ensuring users feel comfortable from their first interaction.

Deliverables

• Wireframes, clickable prototypes (Figma/Adobe XD).
• Design system/component library.
• Handoff-ready assets and design specs for dev.

Estimated Cost: $10k–$30k · 2–6 weeks

Step 3: Feature Engineering & Integration

Once the core is ready, it’s time to enhance your app with advanced features that elevate user experience. This includes adding voice and video calls, virtual meetings, multilingual support, and Arattai’s signature “Pocket” cloud storage feature. End-to-end encryption and multi-device syncing are also implemented at this stage to ensure users enjoy a secure and flexible messaging experience. These advanced additions not only make the app more versatile but also position it as a strong competitor in the messaging space.

Deliverables

• Fully working voice/video & meeting flows.
• Pocket with cross-device sync and privacy controls.
• Integration endpoints (IFTTT/webhooks)

Estimated reference: $25k–$50k · 4–8 weeks

Step 4: Core Development

Here, the real magic happens, our mobile app development team starts building the core functionalities. This makes your messaging app work. 

During this phase, essential features such as instant messaging, group chats, file sharing, notifications, and others are developed and integrated. Our top Android & iOS app developers build a robust backend infrastructure to support real-time communication and data storage, ensuring messages are delivered instantly and securely. This step transforms your app from concept to a functioning product, ready to handle real-world interactions with speed and reliability. 

Deliverables

• Functional mobile (iOS/Android) and at least one desktop/web client with messaging core working.
• API documentation, deployment scripts.

Estimated reference: $35k–$75k · 8–14 weeks

Step 5: Testing & Quality Assurance

Before launch, it’s crucial to test your messaging app to ensure seamless operation rigorously. QA engineers test every feature under different scenarios to identify and fix bugs, ensure smooth performance, and maintain consistent speed even during high traffic. Functional, performance, and security testing are carried out to confirm that everything—from message delivery to video calls—works flawlessly. This phase ensures your app is stable, secure, and ready for public release, free of glitches or crashes.

Deliverables

• Test plans & coverage reports.
• Bug tracker with prioritized fixes.
• Performance baselines and SLA targets.

Estimated reference: $8k–$16k · 3–6 weeks

Step 6: Launch & Deployment

After extensive testing, your chatting app is finally ready to go live. The development team prepares deployment pipelines, submits the app to Google Play and the App Store, and configures backend servers to ensure smooth performance.

A gradual rollout strategy is often used to monitor real-time performance and user feedback. During this phase, marketing teams also coordinate announcements and promotions to ensure a successful launch. The goal is to introduce the app to users seamlessly while keeping performance optimized from day one.

Deliverables

• Production deployment, monitoring dashboards, support docs.

Estimated reference: $2k–$5k · 1–2 weeks

Step 7: Ongoing Maintenance & Support

Your mobile app development journey doesn’t just end at launch – it actually begins there. Post-launch maintenance ensures the app continues running smoothly, remains secure, and evolves with user needs. Regular updates introduce new features, fix bugs, and optimize performance. 

Developers monitor analytics, gather user feedback, and enhance the app experience based on real-world usage. Ongoing maintenance typically costs around 20–25% of the total development cost annually, but it’s crucial for ensuring long-term stability, scalability, and customer satisfaction.

Estimated reference: 20–25% of dev cost annually · ongoing

Tech Stack to Implement in Messaging App Development Like Arattai

Let’s take a look at the robust tech stack we implement in chat app development that makes it operate seamlessly and grow successfully:

Factors Influencing Messaging App Development Cost Like Arattai 

We’ve listed the top factors impacting messaging apps like Arattai below. Let’s learn:

1. App Complexity & Features

Your project’s complexity & features directly influence the development cost. Basic features like chat, notifications, and media sharing are more affordable, while advanced features such as end-to-end encryption, voice/video calls, and cloud synchronization significantly increase the overall development cost of messaging app. 

2. Tech Stack

Choosing the right tech stack—such as programming languages, frameworks, and third-party integrations—plays a key role in both performance and cost. Using scalable, secure technologies like Node.js, Firebase, or AWS can increase upfront costs but reduce long-term maintenance expenses.

3. Platform Choice (iOS, Android & Both)

Developing an app for one platform is cheaper than building for both. However, cross-platform frameworks like Flutter or React Native can reduce costs while allowing your app to reach a wider audience.

4. Development Team Location & Expertise

Costs vary significantly depending on where your development team is based. Developers in North America and Western Europe charge higher rates, while those in Asia (such as India) offer high-quality development at more affordable prices.

5. Backend Infrastructure & Security

Messaging apps require robust backend systems to handle real-time communication, user authentication, and data encryption. Implementing advanced security features, such as E2E encryption or secure cloud storage, increases the overall budget.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Arattai?

Building a messaging app like Arattai, WhatsApp, or Telegram depends on several factors, including the project’s complexity, UX UI design, tech stack, features & functionalities, and so on. However, the estimated development cost for a chatting app like Arattai ranges from $10,000 to $250,000 or more. 

Take a look at the table below to have a clear understanding of the overall development costs for creating an app like Arattai:

Partner With Apptunix to Build a Messaging App Like Arattai

If you’re looking for a top-notch mobile app development company that understands your every requirement – and helps you navigate through the entire process – you’ve landed in the right place. 

Apptunix, a leading mobile app development company, will help you not just achieve that but also grow your business in terms of revenue. Here, our expert strategists, Android & iOS chat app developers, UX UI designers, and other team members collaborate to build you a messaging app like Arattai from scratch. Apart from an advanced & fully-functional chat app, we also offer Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a messaging app that will give a competitive edge to your messaging app similar to Arattai. 

 

Here’s what we offer: 

1. End-to-End Messaging App Development

From idea validation to app launch, we handle everything — architecture, development, deployment, and maintenance — so you can focus on growing your business, not worrying about technical hurdles.

2. Feature-Rich & Scalable Solutions

We build messaging apps with real-time chat, group communities, voice/video calls, cloud storage, mentions, multi-device sync, and end-to-end encryption, ensuring your app scales effortlessly as your user base grows.

3. AI-Powered Competitive Edge

Our AI integrations can provide smart message suggestions, sentiment analysis, and automated moderation, helping your app stand out in a crowded market and offer a smarter, more engaging user experience.

4. Cross-Platform Expertise

Whether iOS, Android, Web, or Desktop, we ensure your messaging app works seamlessly across all devices, maintaining consistency and superior performance everywhere.

5. UX/UI That Drives Engagement

Our designers focus on intuitive interfaces, smooth onboarding, and accessibility, ensuring users love every interaction and stay engaged longer.

6. Security & Privacy at the Core

We implement robust encryption, secure cloud storage, and privacy-compliant architectures so your users can trust your app completely — a must in today’s digital communication landscape.

7. Proven Development Process

Our team follows agile methodologies, constant testing, and iterative improvements to deliver bug-free, high-performing apps on time and within budget.

8. Dedicated Support & Maintenance

Post-launch, we provide continuous updates, monitoring, and support, ensuring your app evolves with your business and keeps users happy.

9. Faster Time-to-Market

With Apptunix, your messaging app can go from concept to live faster than most competitors, giving you a first-mover advantage in your niche.

10. Growth-Oriented Solutions

We don’t just build apps — we help you drive revenue, user engagement, and retention, ensuring your messaging platform becomes a valuable business asset.

Partner with Apptunix today and witness how we turn your vision into a feature-rich, secure, and scalable messaging app.