What is Lock-In?
Definition
A situation where switching from one subscription service to another becomes difficult or costly due to data, workflows, or ecosystem dependencies.
Understanding Lock-In
Lock-in (also called vendor lock-in or switching costs) keeps subscribers even when better alternatives exist. Types include data lock-in (your content is trapped in the platform), ecosystem lock-in (deep integration with other tools), workflow lock-in (team processes depend on the tool), and contractual lock-in (long-term contracts with penalties). Examples: Apple ecosystem lock-in, Adobe Creative Cloud with proprietary file formats, and enterprise SaaS with complex integrations.
To minimize lock-in, prefer services with data export, open standards, and API access.
Related Terms
Switching Cost
The time, effort, and money required to migrate from one subscription service to a competing alternative.
Cancellation
The act of ending a subscription, which stops future billing and eventually terminates access to the service.
Data Portability
The ability to easily export and transfer your data from one subscription service to another in a usable format.
Subscription
A recurring payment arrangement where a customer pays at regular intervals to access a product or service.