@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Get Python modules
         run: |
           python -m pip install --upgrade pip
-          python -m pip install numpy Pillow mypy pylint pycodestyle
+          python -m pip install numpy scipy Pillow mypy pylint pycodestyle
 
       - name: Run Python tests
         run: |
 
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ python3 -m venv pve
 . ./pve/bin/activate
 
 # Test tools
-python3 -m pip install numpy pillow pycodestyle pylint
+python3 -m pip install numpy scipy pillow pycodestyle pylint
 
 # Profile tools
 python3 -m pip install gprof2dot
 
@@ -0,0 +1,305 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright 2026 Arm Limited
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not
+# use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy
+# of the License at:
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+# WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+# License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+# under the License.
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+'''
+Utility script to compare the compression performance of two astcenc binaries.
+
+The binaries are run in alternating order and their reported coding times are
+analyzed with a paired, two-sided Student's t-test.
+'''
+
+import argparse
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+import shutil
+import statistics
+import subprocess as sp
+import sys
+
+from scipy import stats
+
+
+CODING_TIME_PATTERN = re.compile(r'^\s*Coding time:\s*([0-9.]+)\s+s\s*$')
+QUALITY_LEVELS = [
+    'fastest', 'fast', 'medium', 'thorough', 'verythorough', 'exhaustive'
+]
+
+
+def paired_t_test(sample_a: list[float],
+                  sample_b: list[float]) -> tuple[float, float]:
+    '''
+    Run a paired, two-sided Student's t-test.
+
+    Args:
+        sample_a: The timing samples for binary A.
+        sample_b: The timing samples for binary B.
+
+    Return:
+        The t-statistic and two-sided p-value.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: The sample sizes differ or contain fewer than two values.
+    '''
+    if len(sample_a) != len(sample_b) or len(sample_a) < 2:
+        raise ValueError('Paired t-test requires equal sample set sizes')
+
+    result = stats.ttest_rel(sample_a, sample_b)
+    return float(result.statistic), float(result.pvalue)
+
+
+def resolve_binary(binary: str) -> str:
+    '''
+    Resolve a binary path, including commands found on PATH.
+
+    Args:
+        binary: The binary path or command name.
+
+    Return:
+        The resolved binary path.
+
+    Raises:
+        FileNotFoundError: The binary cannot be found.
+    '''
+    path = Path(binary)
+    if path.is_file():
+        return str(path)
+
+    resolved = shutil.which(binary)
+    if not resolved:
+        raise FileNotFoundError(binary)
+
+    return resolved
+
+
+def run_encoder(binary: str, image_in: str, image_out: str,
+                block_size: str, quality: str) -> float:
+    '''
+    Run one astcenc test-mode compression.
+
+    Args:
+        binary: The astcenc binary path.
+        image_in: The input image path.
+        image_out: The output image path.
+        block_size: The ASTC block size.
+        quality: The compression quality level.
+
+    Return:
+        The reported coding time in seconds.
+
+    Raises:
+        CalledProcessError: The encoder process failed.
+        ValueError: The encoder did not report a coding time.
+    '''
+    command = [
+        binary, '-tl', image_in, image_out, block_size, f'-{quality}',
+        '-silent', '-j', '4'
+    ]
+
+    result = sp.run(command, stdout=sp.PIPE, stderr=sp.PIPE,
+                    check=True, text=True)
+
+    for line in result.stdout.splitlines():
+        if match := CODING_TIME_PATTERN.match(line):
+            return float(match.group(1))
+
+    raise ValueError(f'{binary} did not report a coding time')
+
+
+def collect_samples(binary_a: str, binary_b: str, image_in: str,
+                    image_out: str, block_size: str, quality: str,
+                    warmups: int,
+                    runs: int) -> tuple[list[float], list[float]]:
+    '''
+    Warm up the encoders and collect interleaved paired timing samples.
+
+    Args:
+        binary_a: The binary A path.
+        binary_b: The binary B path.
+        image_in: The input image path.
+        image_out: The output image path.
+        block_size: The ASTC block size.
+        quality: The compression quality level.
+        warmups: The number of warm-up pairs.
+        runs: The number of measured pairs.
+
+    Return:
+        The timing samples for binary A and binary B.
+    '''
+    for _ in range(warmups):
+        run_encoder(binary_a, image_in, image_out, block_size, quality)
+        run_encoder(binary_b, image_in, image_out, block_size, quality)
+
+    samples_a = []
+    samples_b = []
+    for run in range(runs):
+        if run % 2 == 0:
+            time_a = run_encoder(binary_a, image_in, image_out,
+                                 block_size, quality)
+            time_b = run_encoder(binary_b, image_in, image_out,
+                                 block_size, quality)
+        else:
+            time_b = run_encoder(binary_b, image_in, image_out,
+                                 block_size, quality)
+            time_a = run_encoder(binary_a, image_in, image_out,
+                                 block_size, quality)
+
+        samples_a.append(time_a)
+        samples_b.append(time_b)
+        print(f'Pair {run + 1:>2}/{runs}: '
+              f'A {time_a:.4f} s, '
+              f'B {time_b:.4f} s')
+
+    return samples_a, samples_b
+
+
+def confidence_value(value: str) -> float:
+    '''
+    Parse and validate a confidence level argument.
+
+    Args:
+        value: The confidence level string.
+
+    Return:
+        The parsed confidence level.
+
+    Raises:
+        ArgumentTypeError: The confidence level is outside the valid range.
+    '''
+    result = float(value)
+    if not 0.0 < result < 1.0:
+        raise argparse.ArgumentTypeError('Must be between 0 and 1')
+    return result
+
+
+def parse_command_line() -> argparse.Namespace:
+    '''
+    Parse the command line.
+
+    Return:
+        The parsed command-line arguments.
+    '''
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+
+    parser.add_argument('binary_a', help='the first astcenc binary')
+
+    parser.add_argument('binary_b', help='the second astcenc binary')
+
+    parser.add_argument('input', help='the input image')
+
+    parser.add_argument('output', help='the output image')
+
+    parser.add_argument('--block-size', default='6x6',
+                        help='the ASTC block size (default: %(default)s)')
+
+    parser.add_argument('--quality', choices=QUALITY_LEVELS, default='medium',
+                        help='the compression quality (default: %(default)s)')
+
+    parser.add_argument('--runs', type=int, default=10,
+                        help='number of measured pairs (default: %(default)s)')
+
+    parser.add_argument('--warmups', type=int, default=1,
+                        help='number of warm-up pairs (default: %(default)s)')
+
+    parser.add_argument('--confidence', type=confidence_value, default=0.95,
+                        help='confidence level (default: %(default)s)')
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if args.runs < 2:
+        parser.error('--runs must be at least 2')
+
+    if args.warmups < 0:
+        parser.error('--warmups cannot be negative')
+
+    if not Path(args.input).is_file():
+        parser.error(f'input image does not exist: {args.input}')
+
+    return args
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    '''
+    Run the comparison and print the statistical result.
+
+    Return:
+        The process return code.
+    '''
+    args = parse_command_line()
+
+    try:
+        binary_a = resolve_binary(args.binary_a)
+        binary_b = resolve_binary(args.binary_b)
+
+        samples_a, samples_b = collect_samples(
+            binary_a, binary_b, args.input, args.output,
+            args.block_size, args.quality, args.warmups, args.runs)
+
+        statistic, p_value = paired_t_test(samples_a, samples_b)
+
+    except FileNotFoundError as ex:
+        print(f'ERROR: Binary not found: {ex}', file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    except OSError as ex:
+        print(f'ERROR: Could not execute encoder: {ex}', file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    except sp.CalledProcessError as ex:
+        print(f'ERROR: Encoder failed: {" ".join(ex.cmd)}', file=sys.stderr)
+        output = ex.stderr.strip() or ex.stdout.strip()
+        if output:
+            print(output, file=sys.stderr)
+
+        return 1
+
+    except ValueError as ex:
+        print(f'ERROR: {ex}', file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    mean_a = statistics.mean(samples_a)
+    mean_b = statistics.mean(samples_b)
+    alpha = 1.0 - args.confidence
+
+    print()
+    print(f'A mean: {mean_a:.6f} s ({binary_a})')
+    print(f'B mean: {mean_b:.6f} s ({binary_b})')
+    print(f'Paired t-test: t={statistic:.4f}, p={p_value:.6g}')
+
+    if p_value >= alpha or mean_a == mean_b:
+        print(f'Result: inconclusive at {args.confidence:.1%} confidence')
+
+    else:
+        if mean_a < mean_b:
+            winner = 'A'
+            faster_time = mean_a
+            slower_time = mean_b
+        else:
+            winner = 'B'
+            faster_time = mean_b
+            slower_time = mean_a
+
+        reduction = (slower_time - faster_time) / slower_time * 100.0
+
+        print(f'Result: {winner} is faster at '
+              f'{args.confidence:.1%} confidence '
+              f'({reduction:.2f}% lower mean coding time)')
+
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    sys.exit(main())