Why some businesses still choose vendor lock-in

Despite the considerable risks, many businesses deliberately choose vendor lock-in situations. This seemingly counterintuitive decision often stems from practical considerations that prioritize immediate operational advantages over long-term flexibility.

Simplified integration and support

For startups and small teams especially, having a single point of contact for multiple needs creates substantial efficiency gains. According to industry experts, building on vendor platforms allows teams to "focus on creating unique value and amazing user experiences" (5) instead of handling infrastructure complexities. This arrangement creates a streamlined support structure where vendors handle "scaling, reliability and security" (5), allowing internal teams to concentrate on core business objectives rather than managing technology fundamentals.

Volume discounts and bundled pricing

The financial incentives of vendor commitment can be compelling. Companies frequently offer significant price reductions through:

  • Bundle pricing where multiple products or services come together at a discount
  • Volume-based pricing tiers that reward increased usage
  • Long-term contract incentives that lock in favorable rates

These bundled solutions create a "win-win situation: customers get better deals, and businesses boost sales" [^1]. For budget-conscious organizations, particularly in volatile economic conditions, "having locked-in pricing with key vendors gives businesses a critical layer of economic stability" (7).

Unified ecosystem and faster deployment

Perhaps most persuasively, vendor ecosystems dramatically accelerate time-to-market. Building on established platforms can "cut down months or even years of dev work" (5). Additionally, these vendors typically have "huge engineering teams whose whole job is to continuously develop the platform" (5), giving customers access to cutting-edge technologies without internal development costs.

Businesses also appreciate the reduced complexity within a vendor's walled garden. As Microsoft Stack and similar platforms demonstrate, "going all-in with a single vendor may allow you to simplify things and become more agile" (8). In competitive markets where speed matters, harnessing a unified ecosystem often outweighs concerns about future flexibility.

Table of contents

  1. Why Vendor-Agnostic Solutions Matter More Than Ever in 2025
  2. Vendor-Agnostic Solutions - The hidden risks of vendor lock-in
  3. Vendor-Agnostic Solutions - Why some businesses still choose vendor lock-in
  4. Vendor-Agnostic Solutions - The growing need in 2025
  5. Vendor-Agnostic Solutions - How to build a vendor-agnostic strategy

References