This study aims to analyze the use of free and open source software by a group of companies. To this end, exploratory empirical research was conducted with nine member companies of the Association of IT and Telecommunications User Companies-Bahia (SUCESU-BA), all located in the city of Salvador, state of Bahia-BA, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire in an attempt to map the use of free and open source software in the nine participating companies, to identify the benefits and challenges associated with their use of free and open source software, and to determine the extent to which the findings confirm the results found in the literature. It was demonstrated that free and open source software generates effective collaborations, that is, it offers great economic value and lowers data processing costs. The use of free and open source software is advantageous for the companies involved. The present study also seeks to observe the extent to which the use of free and open source software is shifting from being driven by ideology to being used to gain better business opportunities.