.ec Domain Names
24 registrars compared — cheapest from $35.00 at eDomains
Delegated in 1991, .ec is Ecuador's country-code domain, run by ECUADORDOMAIN S.A. — a registry whose name literally spells out its mission.
| # | Registrar | Registration | Renewal | Transfer | 5-Year Cost | 10-Year Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eDomains Cheapest | $35.00 | $35.00 | $35.00 | $175.00 | $350.00 | Visit |
| 2 | Infomaniak Cheapest | $35.00 | $35.00 | $35.00 | $175.00 | $350.00 | Visit |
| 3 | INWX Cheapest | $35.00 | $35.00 | $35.00 | $175.00 | $350.00 | Visit |
| 4 | Dynadot | $35.70 | $35.70 | $35.70 | $178.50 | $357.00 | Visit |
| 5 | MrDomain | $48.78 | $48.78 | $50.10 | $243.90 | $487.80 | Visit |
| 6 | Regery | $51.99 | $51.99 | $51.99 | $259.95 | $519.90 | Visit |
| 7 | Netim | $57.00 | $57.00 | $43.00 | $285.00 | $570.00 | Visit |
| 8 | Epik | $65.95 | $65.95 | $75.95 | $329.75 | $659.50 | Visit |
| 9 | Name.com | $69.99 | $69.99 | $69.99 | $349.95 | $699.90 | Visit |
| 10 | 101domain | $73.49 | $119.99 | $73.49 | $553.45 | $1153.40 | Visit |
| 11 | Cosmotown | $73.49 | $119.99 | $73.49 | $553.45 | $1153.40 | Visit |
| 12 | Marcaria | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $385.00 | $770.00 | Visit |
| 13 | OVHcloud | $83.29 | $91.69 | $89.99 | $450.05 | $908.50 | Visit |
| 14 | Internet.bs | $85.90 | $96.75 | $93.90 | $472.90 | $956.65 | Visit |
| 15 | Moniker | $85.90 | $96.75 | $93.90 | $472.90 | $956.65 | Visit |
| 16 | Regtons | $91.00 | $91.00 | $91.00 | $455.00 | $910.00 | Visit |
| 17 | Sav | $91.00 | $91.00 | $91.00 | $455.00 | $910.00 | Visit |
| 18 | Blacknight | $102.66 | $102.66 | $102.66 | $513.30 | $1026.60 | Visit |
| 19 | Directnic | $103.84 | $103.84 | $103.84 | $519.20 | $1038.40 | Visit |
| 20 | OnlyDomains | $111.99 | $125.99 | $125.99 | $615.95 | $1245.90 | Visit |
| 21 | UK2 | $112.00 | $122.00 | $122.00 | $600.00 | $1210.00 | Visit |
| 22 | Gandi | $160.00 | $279.98 | $160.00 | $1279.92 | $2679.82 | Visit |
| 23 | EuroDNS | $162.12 | $162.12 | $162.12 | $810.60 | $1621.20 | Visit |
| 24 | Crazy Domains | $163.95 | $168.89 | $163.95 | $839.51 | $1683.96 | Visit |
Prices updated daily. Some registrars show promotional first-year prices. Always verify the final price on the registrar's website before purchasing.
A Registry That Puts the Country in Its Name
When Ecuador got its ccTLD in February 1991, the responsibility fell to ECUADORDOMAIN S.A., a Quito-based company whose very name doubles as a declaration of purpose. The IANA record lists it as the sponsor, and its registry website, nic.ec, remains the central hub for all .ec registrations. Delegation at the start of the 1990s places .ec among the earlier Latin American ccTLDs, predating many of its neighbors. The registry's longevity — over three decades — is a point of stability in a region where some ccTLDs have changed hands or faced political turbulence. For anyone seeking a digital foothold in Ecuador, the sponsor's name is a reminder that this TLD is about more than just technical infrastructure.
The Third-Level Restriction Maze
.ec isn't a single flat namespace. Under the second level, registrants can choose from several third-level extensions, and each carries its own restrictions. For example, .com.ec is open to commercial entities, while .edu.ec is reserved for educational institutions, and .gov.ec for government bodies. The variations mean that choosing the right .ec subdomain isn't just a branding decision — it's a legal and regulatory one. The parent .ec Wikipedia entry notes that some third-level registrations are restricted depending on the second-level domain they fall under. This tiered structure mirrors the administrative reality of a country where certain names carry implied authority. For outsiders, the maze can be confusing, but for Ecuadorean entities, it's a way to signal legitimacy and purpose at a glance.
Dispute Resolution Under UDRP
Like most ccTLDs, .ec has adopted the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). This means disputes over .ec domain names are handled according to the same rules that govern .com, .net, and other gTLDs. ICANN-approved arbitration providers hear cases, and decisions are typically enforced without requiring court proceedings. For a registry operated by a private company — ECUADORDOMAIN S.A. — rather than a government body, UDRP offers a neutral, internationally recognized mechanism. It also signals that .ec registrants can expect a degree of protection for trademark rights. However, the policy doesn't necessarily cover every dispute, and parties may still have to resort to Ecuadorean courts for issues like cybersquatting that falls outside UDRP's scope. The presence of UDRP is a practical detail for anyone considering a .ec registration, as it shapes the legal landscape they're entering.
Budget Entry into the South American Market
The registrar landscape for .ec is relatively small — about 24 registrars currently offer it. That's a fraction of the hundreds that sell .com. The limited competition keeps prices moderate, with the cheapest option at eDomains for around $35.00 — though renewal rates can climb to $35.00. The spread between the low end and the most expensive registrar, at $163.95, is wide, reflecting the niche nature of the TLD. For businesses targeting Ecuador specifically, .ec is a budget-friendly choice compared to other Latin American extensions. But for those with global ambitions, the premium gTLDs might offer more value for the money.
What .ec Echoes: A Network of American ccTLDs
.ec sits in a crowded neighborhood of Americas ccTLDs, each with its own regulatory quirks and cultural resonance. .co — Colombia's ccTLD, often pitched as a global alternative to .com — enjoys international popularity, while .us serves the United States. .ca stands for Canada, and .mx for Mexico. In this context, .ec is unapologetically local: its intended use is for entities connected with Ecuador. That's both a limitation and a strength. For an Ecuadorean business, a .ec address signals authenticity and local commitment in a way that .com or even .co can't match. It's a badge of national identity in the digital realm.