It has been over 35 years since Phil Katz introduced the ZIP format to the world, and yet here we are in 2026, still zipping files as enthusiastically as ever. So what keeps the humble .zip at the top of the pile?
It’s Built Into Everything
ZIP support is baked directly into Windows, macOS, and most Linux desktops — no downloads, no subscriptions, no third-party software required. That out-of-the-box availability is ZIP’s single greatest advantage. Competing formats like 7z or RAR might offer better compression ratios, but if the person receiving your file can’t open it, you’ve already lost.
It Works Everywhere
A ZIP file created on a Windows PC opens without fuss on a smartphone, a Chromebook, or a Linux server. That cross-platform reliability is invaluable when sharing files with colleagues, customers, or the general public. No other format can match ZIP’s consistency across every major platform in use today.
The Backbone of Modern Software
ZIP isn’t just for sending files — it’s woven into the fabric of software development. Java JAR files, Office documents (.docx, .xlsx), Android APKs, and Python wheel packages are all ZIP archives under the hood. Removing ZIP from the modern tech stack would be like pulling a thread from a very large sweater.
Good Enough Is Powerful
ZIP isn’t always the most efficient compression algorithm available, but the difference in file size compared to more specialised formats is often just a few percentage points. In a world of fast internet and abundant storage, that marginal gain rarely justifies the inconvenience of using a less compatible format. ZIP is reliable, fast, and gets the job done.
Conclusion
ZIP endures because it solves a real problem reliably, and it works everywhere. In file compression, being the best isn’t always about raw numbers — sometimes it’s simply about being the format that just works, every time, for everyone. On that front, ZIP remains without equal.