Definition

Vendor lock-in

Vendor lock-in is the cost and difficulty of switching away from a supplier once you depend on their proprietary formats, integrations, or data.

Lock-in is invisible at signing and only surfaces when you try to leave: proprietary data formats, custom integrations, retrained staff, and egress fees all raise the exit cost. Quantify it before you commit by projecting the switching cost at years 3, 5, and 7 — Benchside ranks every architecture decision by lock-in risk and estimates the dollar cost to migrate off.