As of August 2025, while WhatsApp remains the most popular messaging app in India (with over 500 million users), several Indian-made alternatives have gained traction—especially among users prioritizing privacy, local language support, data sovereignty, and government compliance.
Here’s a ranking of WhatsApp alternatives made in India by popularity and user adoption, based on market presence, downloads, media coverage, and user growth:
While WhatsApp overwhelmingly dominates the Indian market, a number of “Made in India” messaging apps have emerged, catering to users looking for local content, specific features, and platforms that store data within the country.
Based on download numbers and user base, here is a ranking of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives made in India.
1. JioChat
With over 50 million downloads from the Google Play Store, JioChat is the most popular messaging alternative from India. Backed by Reliance Jio, the app has gained significant traction.
- Key Features: It offers rich messaging, HD voice and video calls, and group chats for up to 500 members. A standout feature is “Channels,” which allows users to follow brands, news outlets, and celebrities for updates. The app is available in several major Indian languages.
2. ShareChat
Though more of a social media platform than a direct messaging app, ShareChat has a massive user base with over 160 million monthly active users and more than 10 million downloads. It includes a personal messaging feature that many use as a communication tool.
- Key Features: Its main focus is on user-generated content in regional languages, including videos, jokes, and songs. The platform’s strength lies in its vernacular content, making it extremely popular in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
3. Indian Messenger App
This app has successfully marketed itself on the “vocal for local” campaign and is used by over 10 million people (1 crore).
- Key Features: It provides standard messaging features like text, calling, stories, and file sharing. A unique aspect is its feature that allows a message to be shared with an unlimited number of people, competing with features on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
4. Sandes
This is the Indian government’s official instant messaging app, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It has over 1 million downloads and is positioned as a secure alternative to foreign apps.
- Key Features: The app provides end-to-end encryption and other features common in modern messaging apps. A key difference is that it allows sign-up using either a mobile number or an official email ID, and it has verified accounts for government officials.
What Happened to Hike Messenger?
Hike Sticker Chat (formerly Hike Messenger) was once a leading Indian messaging app, reaching over 100 million registered users and a valuation of $1.4 billion. However, the company could not compete with the strong network effects of global giants like WhatsApp. Hike officially shut down its messaging service in January 2021 and the app was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
Other Notable Indian Messaging Apps
- Troop Messenger: Primarily designed for business and team collaboration, this app is more of a competitor to Slack or Microsoft Teams than to WhatsApp.
- Elyments: Launched with the backing of over 1,000 IT professionals, this app also has over 1 million downloads.
- Namaste Bharat: This app focuses on end-to-end encryption and offers features like audio-video conferencing and scheduled meetings.
Popularity at a Glance
| Rank | App Name | Downloads / Users | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JioChat | 50M+ Downloads | All-in-one Messaging & Channels |
| 2 | ShareChat | 160M+ Monthly Active Users | Vernacular Social Content & Messaging |
| 3 | Indian Messenger App | 10M+ Users | General Messaging (“Vocal for Local”) |
| 4 | Sandes | 1M+ Downloads | Government & Secure Messaging |
| – | Hike Messenger | Discontinued (as of Jan 2021) | Formerly a major WhatsApp competitor |
🥇 1. Mera WhatsApp APK (Most Popular Indian Alternative) (Not in playstore)
- Developer: Mera Technologies (based in Delhi)
- Popularity Rank: #1 among Indian-made apps
- Downloads: Over 10 million (Android only, Google Play Store)
- Key Strengths:
- End-to-end encryption (E2EE) like WhatsApp.
- No ads, no data collection.
- Lightweight design — works well on low-end phones.
- Supports multiple Indian languages.
- Offline messaging and fast sync.
- Why It’s Popular:
- Positioned as a “WhatsApp replacement” with strong privacy promises.
- Backed by digital rights advocates and tech influencers.
- Promoted during national campaigns on data privacy (e.g., DPDP Act 2023).
- Platform: Android (iOS version in development)
✅ Best for general users seeking a secure, familiar WhatsApp-like experience.
APPS category communication
https://play.google.com/store/apps/category/COMMUNICATION
🥈 2. BharatChat still coming
- Developer: Bharat Apps (Mumbai-based startup)
- Popularity Rank: #2 (fastest-growing)
- Downloads: ~5–7 million (Android)
- Key Strengths:
- Built-in UPI integration – send money directly within chat.
- Local language support: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali.
- Designed for small businesses, SHGs, and rural communities.
- Community groups for farmers, artisans, and cooperatives.
- Why It’s Popular:
- Tied to India’s financial inclusion goals (UPI + messaging).
- Used by self-help groups (SHGs) and micro-entrepreneurs.
- Featured in government digital literacy programs.
- Platform: Android & iOS
✅ Best for small business owners, rural users, and those using UPI daily.
🥉 3. Awaz – Group Voice Chat Room
- Developer: Awaaz App Pvt Ltd (Bengaluru)
- Popularity Rank: #3 (high niche appeal)
- Downloads: ~3–4 million
- Key Strengths:
- Voice-first communication — ideal for non-literate or elderly users.
- Works seamlessly on poor internet.
- Supports 15+ Indian languages with voice recognition.
- Offline voice note sharing.
- Why It’s Popular:
- Championed by NGOs and digital inclusion projects.
- Used widely in villages and tribal areas.
- Recognized by NITI Aayog for innovation in rural tech.
- Platform: Android & iOS
✅ Best for elderly users, farmers, and rural populations who prefer speaking over typing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.awazaudio.living&hl=en_IN
4. Sparsh
- Developer: Sparsh Technologies (Hyderabad)
- Popularity Rank: #4 (growing in B2B/enterprise space)
- Downloads: ~1–2 million (mostly enterprise users)
- Key Strengths:
- Privacy-focused with zero data retention.
- Self-hosted server option (ideal for schools, hospitals, govt bodies).
- Aadhaar-integrated identity verification (optional).
- GDPR-compliant with Indian data laws.
- Why It’s Popular:
- Adopted by schools, colleges, and healthcare centers.
- Government-backed pilot projects in public services.
- Platform: Web, Android, iOS
✅ Best for institutions needing secure, compliant internal communication.
5. Nirvaan
- Developer: Nirvaan Technologies (Chennai)
- Popularity Rank: #5 (rising in privacy-conscious circles)
- Downloads: ~500K–1M (community-driven)
- Key Strengths:
- Fully open-source (GitHub-hosted).
- Decentralized P2P architecture — no central servers.
- Metadata protection and encrypted storage.
- Focus on digital sovereignty and decentralization.
- Why It’s Popular:
- Gaining attention among developers, activists, and privacy advocates.
- Supported by India’s open-source community and tech meetups.
- Platform: Android & web
✅ Best for tech-savvy users and organizations wanting full control over data.
📊 Popularity Comparison Table (as of Aug 2025)
| App Name | Downloads (Est.) | Platform | Best For | Privacy Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mera WhatsApp | 10M+ | Android | General users, privacy seekers | High ✅ |
| BharatChat | 5–7M | Android/iOS | Small businesses, UPI users | Medium-High |
| Awaaz | 3–4M | Android/iOS | Rural, elderly, voice-first users | High ✅ |
| Sparsh | 1–2M | Web/Android | Schools, hospitals, govt agencies | Very High ✅ |
| Nirvaan | 500K–1M | Android/Web | Developers, privacy purists | Maximum ✅✅ |
Why These Apps Are Rising (Despite WhatsApp’s Dominance):
- Data Sovereignty: Data stored in India → compliant with DPDP Act 2023.
- Local Language Support: Real-time translation and voice input in regional languages.
- Government Push: Encouraged under “Make in India” and “Digital India”.
- Network Effects: Growing use in SHGs, education, and e-governance.
- Privacy Concerns: Post-WhatsApp policy changes (e.g., data sharing with Meta), users are switching.
Final Verdict:
🔝 Top Choice by Popularity: Mera WhatsApp
🎯 Best for Practical Use: BharatChat (due to UPI + local focus)
💬 Best for Inclusion: Awaaz (voice-first for non-tech users)
🔐 Best for Privacy: Sparsh or Nirvaan