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Find Zip Codes in a Jiffy

Free utility finds zip codes, area codes, time zones, and more.

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Not for Mail-List Management

Despite its handy features, Zip Express offers fairly basic functions, and it's not geared for mass-mailings or managing an address database. That's partly because you can't automate Zip Express; for example, you couldn't tell it to look up database records by zip code and change outdated area codes.

More significantly, Zip Express doesn't handle street addresses at all, and it only gives you a list of basic zip codes--so you won't be able to sort mail according to the USPS's strict requirements for bulk-mail discounts. If you need zip+4 lookups and other more advanced features, you'll have to shell out $500 to $2500 for an application like AccuZip 6, Satori Software's Bulk Mailer Plus, or Semaphore's ZP4.

But for those everyday zip and area code searches, Zip Express is a real gem. The free download version of Zip Express displays some relatively painless advertising; if you want a commercial-free version, it's available for $24.95. Insight Software Solutions updates its free, downloadable database of current zip codes and area codes quarterly. The database works with either version.

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