perceptualdiff
« Back to VersTracker
Description:
Perceptual image comparison tool
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: image-processing comparison cli testing graphics
Install: brew install perceptualdiff
About:
Perceptualdiff is a command-line utility that compares two images using a computational model of human vision. It identifies visually noticeable differences rather than pixel-by-pixel variations, making it ideal for detecting artifacts in image processing pipelines. The tool outputs a pass/fail result based on a perceptual threshold.
Key Features:
  • Human vision-based comparison algorithm
  • Command-line interface for automation
  • Configurable sensitivity thresholds
  • Supports common image formats like PNG and TIFF
Use Cases:
  • Validating image compression algorithms
  • Regression testing for graphics rendering engines
  • Quality assurance in image processing workflows
Alternatives:
  • ImageMagick compare – Uses pixel-based metrics like MAE, which may not align with human perception
  • SSIM (Structural Similarity Index) – Provides a perceptual metric but is often integrated into libraries rather than standalone tools
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 16, 2025 4:22am 0 VERSION_BUMP 2a8844c5