One file instead of twenty
Many forms, portals and email services only accept one attachment, or get messy when you attach twenty. Putting everything in one ZIP solves that: send a job application with your resume and certificates, a set of photos for a client, the documents for a rental or a loan, homework with several files, or the source files of a project, all in a single download.
Any type of file can go in: PDFs, Word and Excel documents, images, audio, video and more. Select several files at once. Whole folders can't be added in one step; select the files inside them instead.
Will it make my files smaller?
It depends on the files. Text documents, spreadsheets and some other formats shrink noticeably. Photos, videos, MP3s and most PDFs barely change, because they are already compressed. If your goal is to get under a size limit, compress the content itself first: Compress PDF for documents and Compress image for photos.
If you only want to group files and speed doesn't matter, normal compression is fine. The "no compression" option just bundles the files, which is quicker with very large photos and videos that wouldn't shrink anyway.
Password protection: two options
AES-256 is the secure option. The catch is that Windows and macOS can't open AES-encrypted ZIPs on their own: the recipient needs a program such as 7-Zip, WinRAR or The Unarchiver, or can open it with ConvertirDocs' Unzip tool. ZipCrypto opens in Windows File Explorer without extra software, but its encryption is weak and can be broken, so don't rely on it for sensitive documents.
Send the password through a different channel than the file, for example by phone or text message if the ZIP goes by email. There is a shortcut page, Password protect ZIP, that opens with the password option ready.
Files stay on your device
The ZIP is built in your browser. Your files are not uploaded to any server and nothing is stored, which matters when they are tax documents, contracts, ID scans or medical records. It is free, with no account, no watermark and no limit beyond your device's memory. To open a ZIP someone sent you, use Unzip files.
A practical tip before sending: give the ZIP and the files inside clear names, such as your name and the document type, so the person who receives it knows what each file is without opening all of them. Check the total size too, since many email services limit the size of attachments.