A zipper guide apparatus having different operational states. In the first operational state, the zipper tape is held securely, i.e., gripped, in a zone adjacent the slider insertion zone during slider insertion. In a second operational state, the zipper tape is not held securely in the zone adjacent the slider insertion zone and a slider can pass through the zipper guide during zipper tape advancement. These operational states are under the control of a programmable controller or other control device, which synchronizes zipper guide operation with operation of the slider inserter. The zipper guide comprises a saddle on which a zipper is seated and a pair of opposing grippers that extend to grip the zipper tape and that retract to release the zipper tape and allow passage of the zipper tape with sliders inserted thereon.