Are you stating that the guy nailing zip sheathing on the side of a house talks to the engineer who designed it?
(But maybe it is just cheaper.)
Better? No idea. Although there might be less to screw up unless someone cost-saves by not installing the spec tape (it really is necessary).
ZIP will let water vapor out, so your walls won't rot out. So if you want your house to last OSB is actually worse (though OSB houses have lasted a long time with no problems so this is again on the margins).