Plain-English definition
What Vendor Lock-In means.
Vendor lock-in happens when your business becomes so dependent on a particular software tool that leaving it would mean losing data, breaking workflows, or retraining your entire team. SaaS vendors design for this intentionally through proprietary data formats, limited export options, and annual contracts with steep cancellation penalties.
Why operators care
Where it shows up in the business.
Lock-in means you lose negotiating power and have to accept price increases, feature changes, and product decisions you have no control over. Understanding lock-in helps you make better tooling decisions before you are stuck.