.ae Domain Names
23 registrars compared — cheapest from $30.00 at IONOS
Delegated in December 1992, .ae is the country-code top-level domain for the United Arab Emirates, managed by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Despite being a ccTLD with registration restrictions, it has grown into a popular choice for businesses and individuals connected to the Emirates.
| # | Registrar | Registration | Renewal | Transfer | 5-Year Cost | 10-Year Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IONOS Cheapest | $30.00 | $60.00 | $51.00 | $270.00 | $570.00 | Visit |
| 2 | Regery | $31.99 | $33.99 | $1.99 | $167.95 | $337.90 | Visit |
| 3 | Crazy Domains | $32.49 | $40.99 | $39.75 | $196.45 | $401.40 | Visit |
| 4 | Dynadot | $32.68 | $32.68 | $32.68 | $163.40 | $326.80 | Visit |
| 5 | OnlyDomains | $34.99 | $41.49 | $41.49 | $200.95 | $408.40 | Visit |
| 6 | UK2 | $34.99 | $39.99 | $39.99 | $194.95 | $394.90 | Visit |
| 7 | Hostinger | $49.00 | $59.00 | $49.00 | $285.00 | $580.00 | Visit |
| 8 | Netim | $50.00 | $50.00 | $35.50 | $250.00 | $500.00 | Visit |
| 9 | Internet.bs | $59.49 | $61.29 | $59.49 | $304.65 | $611.10 | Visit |
| 10 | Moniker | $59.49 | $61.29 | $59.49 | $304.65 | $611.10 | Visit |
| 11 | Marcaria | $62.00 | $62.00 | $62.00 | $310.00 | $620.00 | Visit |
| 12 | 101domain | $62.99 | $71.99 | $62.99 | $350.95 | $710.90 | Visit |
| 13 | Cosmotown | $62.99 | $71.99 | $62.99 | $350.95 | $710.90 | Visit |
| 14 | Directnic | $62.99 | $71.99 | $62.99 | $350.95 | $710.90 | Visit |
| 15 | MrDomain | $77.64 | $77.64 | $77.64 | $388.20 | $776.40 | Visit |
| 16 | NameSilo | $78.05 | $78.05 | $78.05 | $390.25 | $780.50 | Visit |
| 17 | Regtons | $80.00 | $80.00 | $80.00 | $400.00 | $800.00 | Visit |
| 18 | INWX | $80.67 | $80.67 | $80.67 | $403.35 | $806.70 | Visit |
| 19 | EuroDNS | $81.86 | $104.49 | $104.49 | $499.82 | $1022.27 | Visit |
| 20 | Infomaniak | $83.30 | $83.30 | $86.30 | $416.50 | $833.00 | Visit |
| 21 | Blacknight | $84.90 | $84.90 | $84.90 | $424.50 | $849.00 | Visit |
| 22 | Epik | $84.95 | $84.95 | $84.95 | $424.75 | $849.50 | Visit |
| 23 | Gandi | $85.69 | $175.98 | $72.61 | $789.61 | $1669.51 | Visit |
Prices updated daily. Some registrars show promotional first-year prices. Always verify the final price on the registrar's website before purchasing.
The TDRA's Two Decades of Stewardship
The .ae registry has been overseen by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) since its delegation in December 1992. The TDRA, through its aeda.ae portal, handles registrations and policy. Over the years, the registry has evolved to meet the demands of a booming digital economy, yet it has kept a firm grip on the eligibility rules that define who can hold a .ae address.
Local Presence Rules: Who Can Actually Register a .ae
Unlike many ccTLDs that open registration to anyone, .ae enforces a local presence requirement. For third-level names like co.ae, net.ae, org.ae, sch.ae, gov.ae, applicants must submit business registration documents or a certificate from the relevant ministry. This effectively ties the domain to the UAE's legal and commercial fabric. It's a deliberate move to keep the namespace from becoming a playground for cybersquatters, though it does add friction for foreign entities that simply want a regional web address.
A Dispute Policy Built for the Emirates
Resolving conflicts over .ae names doesn't follow the generic UDRP path. Instead, the UAE has its own UAE Domain Name DRP, a tailored mechanism aligned with local legal principles. This means that those locked in a battle over a .ae domain are dealing with a framework designed specifically for the Emirates' regulatory environment, not a one-size-fits-all global policy. For anyone holding or seeking a .ae, understanding this local dispute route is essential.
.ae in the Global Neighborhood: Not Your Typical Regional ccTLD
As a Western Asian ccTLD, .ae shares its region with the likes of .in, .la, and .am. But while those extensions often court a global audience, .ae stays resolutely local with its registration restrictions. This positions it closer to .cn in spirit, where national rules trump global convenience. The trade-off: a .ae name signals genuine presence in the UAE, a trust marker that unrestricted regional TLDs simply can't offer.
The Security Gap: Why DNSSEC Remains Absent
One notable omission in the .ae registry is DNSSEC support. While many ccTLDs have rolled out the security protocol to protect against DNS spoofing, .ae has yet to adopt it. For a country that positions itself as a tech-forward hub, this is a lingering vulnerability. Registrants who prioritize security may need to look at alternatives or wait for the registry to catch up.