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similar apps have popped up in many places where uber is not allowed or limited. it doesn't look that hard.

> "where uber is not allowed or limited"

Doesn't that strengthen the argument for the network effect? The only places there have been successful 3rd party launches are in markets without Uber or Lyft, where there is no network effect to compete against.

Those markets are also lacking tons of cash to literally buy the market. And those competitors easily develop their own network effects. It doesnt look like there is huge lock in here, of the scale of e.g. facebook. There is a case to be made that uber is replaceable.

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