Cloud database vendor lock-in is one of the most expensive surprises in enterprise infrastructure — not because the dependency is hidden, but because most teams never quantify it before committing to a platform. Each distinct type – engine lock-in, feature lock-in, and operational lock-in – accumulates differently, costs a different amount to exit, and requires a different conversation before you migrate.
This article breaks down exactly what each type means, which cloud providers create the deepest dependencies, and introduces a four-question framework for measuring your own lock-in — before a pricing change, service deprecation or organizational shift forces the