The exclusive electroproduction of ω mesons, ep → e ω p, has been studied in the kinematic range 3 < Q2 < 20 GeV2, 40 < W < 120 GeV and |t| < 0.6 GeV2 with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 37.7 pb-1. The ω mesons were identified via the decay ω → π+ π- π0. The exclusive cross section in the above kinematic region is σ(ep) → e ω p = 0.108 ± 0.014 (stat.) ± 0.026(syst.) nb. The reaction ep → e φ p, φ → π+ π- π0, has also been measured. The cross sections, as well as the ratios σ γ·p → ωp/σ γ · p → p0p and σ γ · p → ωp/σγ·p → φp, are presented as a function of W and Q2. Thus, for the first time, the properties of ω electroproduction can be compared to those of p0,φ and J/ψ electroproduction at high W. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.