# Improve data compression performance on Arm servers with zlib-ng

## In this learning path

- [Introduction](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/zlib/)
- [Build and install zlib-ng on Arm servers](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/zlib/setup/)
- [Improve Python application performance using zlib-ng](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/zlib/py-zlib/)
- [Use perf to analyze zlib-ng performance](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/zlib/perf/)
- [Next Steps](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/zlib/_next-steps/)

## About this Learning Path

|                     |                            |
|---------------------|----------------------------|
| Skill level:        | Introductory               |
| Reading time:       | 30 min                     |
| Last updated:       | 17 Jun 2026                |
| Author:             | Pareena Verma, Arm [GitHub](https://github.com/pareenaverma) [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/pareena-verma-7853607) |
| Arm IP:             | [Neoverse](https://support.arm.com/?tab=compute-ip&Product%20Type=Infrastructure%20Processors) |
| Tags:               | [Libraries](https://learn.arm.com/tag/libraries) [Linux](https://learn.arm.com/tag/linux) [zlib](https://learn.arm.com/tag/zlib) |

### Who is this for?

This is an introductory topic for software developers who want to improve data compression performance on Arm servers by replacing the default zlib with zlib-ng, an actively maintained fork that includes Neon SIMD and ARMv8 CRC32 optimizations.

### What will you learn?

After completing this Learning Path, you'll be able to perform the following tasks:

- Build zlib-ng in zlib-compatible mode on an Arm server
- Run example applications using zlib-ng as a drop-in replacement
- Measure and analyze performance improvements with zlib-ng

### Prerequisites

Before starting, you'll need the following prerequisites:

- An Arm Linux computer or an [Arm based instance](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/csp/) from a cloud service provider running Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 24.04.