> The problem I see with vendor lock-in is when, after you're locked, the service provider exploit this to change their terms (price and/or else) in a dispropor

> The problem I see with vendor lock-in is when, after you're locked, the service provider exploit this to change their terms (price and/or else) in a disproportionate and unjustifiable way against your initial interests in the service. > This never happened with AWS, to my knowledge (please correct if I'm wrong). Everyone knew the price when they subscribed. Little changed afterwards. AWS was able to meet a demand with quality enough products in an acceptable price to whoever decided to buy. Vendor lock-in does not require any changes to terms, price, or any part of the service or product provided. In most classically studied cases of vendor lock-in (e.g., Microsoft Windows and Office binary formats, VHS vs. Beta), everyone knew the lack of interoperability when they bought the service/good, and nothing changed afterwards. That didn't stop those cases from becoming "vendor lock-in".