Purchasing shares doesn’t always have to be done through a full-service brokerage. A “direct stock purchase plan” (DSPP) may be an option for you if you wish to purchase stock in a certain company. As an investor or employee, you can purchase stock directly from the company with these schemes.
Investing in extra shares using a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), where you use your dividend payouts, is another way to buy stock without a broker. Regular brokerages also provide this method.