Low or no commission fees; often supports automated monthly investments and fractional shares.
Most offer two-factor authentication and strong encryption to protect digital assets. Key Differences at a Glance Direct Stock Plans (DSPPs) Online Brokerage Accounts Selection Limited to one specific company Access to thousands of stocks/ETFs Execution Established times (daily/weekly/monthly) Real-time during market hours Fees Small setup or purchase fees may apply Typically $0 for US stocks Automation Highly automated for long-term growth Manual or automated (via robo-advisors) How to Get Started with a DSPP how do i buy stocks without a broker
These plans automatically use any dividends earned from stocks you already own to buy more shares of that same company. Low or no commission fees; often supports automated