I haven't really tested out Lightning for like 3 years now(tried out
Phoenix). How good/bad is it going currently? Is Lightning still 'the' layer-2 that Bitcoiners are betting on? Controversial I know but I've stuck to using stablecoins on Solana when doing quick cheap transactions.
That is exactly the issue as even more experienced forum members like you (or me included for this sake) don't use it as there are easy ways around it. I think it also sounds very complicated to most people who could actually make use of it, and the fact of the matter is that it is still complicated. That is why I am vouching for a quick install app that people can download and set up their LN network similar to how they set up their messaging apps when they set up their contact list. It should somehow work in the backend. Otherwise most users will revert to alternatives as you did. I do the same.
