diff --git a/.github/workflows/system.yml b/.github/workflows/system.yml
index b519951b..16b7263c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/system.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/system.yml
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ jobs:
           AWS_REGION=$AWS_REGION
           COVERAGE_LOG=$COVERAGE_LOG
           TEMPLATE_MATRIX_FILE=$TEMPLATE_MATRIX_FILE
+          QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE=1048576
           EOF
           sudo chown tester:tester /home/tester/test-files/.env
           sudo chmod 600 /home/tester/test-files/.env
diff --git a/tests/README.md b/tests/README.md
index a2d122e3..eb293696 100644
--- a/tests/README.md
+++ b/tests/README.md
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@
     openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out versitygw.pem -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048
     openssl req -new -x509 -key versitygw.pem -out cert.pem -days 365
 ```
-10. Set `BUCKET_ONE_NAME` and `BUCKET_TWO_NAME` to the desired names of your buckets, for older and static bucket tests, or prefixes, for newer and non-static bucket tests.  If you don't want them to be created each time, set `RECREATE_BUCKETS` to `false`.
-11. In the root repo folder, run single test group with `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/run.sh <options>`.  To print options, run `tests/run.sh -h`.  To run all tests (not recommended), run `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/run_all.sh`.
+10. The program uses two environment values for the bucket names (or prefixes):  `BUCKET_ONE_NAME` and `BUCKET_TWO_NAME`.  Originally, and for static and some older tests, these are the full bucket names.  In later, non-static tests, these are prefixes, and bucket suffixes are auto-generated.  Set `BUCKET_ONE_NAME` and `BUCKET_TWO_NAME` to the desired names of your buckets, for older and static bucket tests, or prefixes, for newer and non-static bucket tests.  If you want static buckets, i.e. you don't want them to be re-created each test, set `RECREATE_BUCKETS` to `false`.
+11. In the root repo folder, run single test group with `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/run.sh <options>`.  To print options, run `tests/run.sh -h`.  To run all tests (not currently recommended due to long running time), run `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/run_all.sh`.
 12. BATS tests can also be run directly with the format `VERSIYTGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/<test file name>`, or for single tests, `VERSIYTGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/<file name> -f <test name>`.  Example:  `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=tests/.env tests/test_rest_bucket.sh -f "REST - HeadBucket"`.
 
 #### Tags
diff --git a/tests/drivers/file.sh b/tests/drivers/file.sh
index 83aed0ab..975d81e0 100644
--- a/tests/drivers/file.sh
+++ b/tests/drivers/file.sh
@@ -790,6 +790,31 @@ download_and_compare_file() {
   return 0
 }
 
+check_file_integrity() {
+  if ! check_param_count_ge_le "original file, bucket, key, destination, chunk size (optional)" 4 5 $#; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+  local response compare_result=0
+
+  log 5 "quick compare size: '$QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE'"
+  if [ -n "$QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE" ]; then
+    log 5 "checking quick compare"
+    check_quick_compare "$1" "$2" "$3" || compare_result=$?
+    if [ "$compare_result" -eq 0 ]; then
+      return 0
+    elif [ "$compare_result" -eq 1 ] || [ "$compare_result" -eq 3 ]; then
+      return 1
+    fi
+    log 5 "skipping quick compare"
+  fi
+  log 5 "performing slow compare"
+  if ! download_and_compare_file "$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5"; then
+    log 2 "error downloading and comparing file"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  return 0
+}
+
 # params:  src, dst
 # fail if error
 copy_file_locally() {
diff --git a/tests/drivers/head_object/head_object_rest.sh b/tests/drivers/head_object/head_object_rest.sh
index 369f1015..5722e78a 100644
--- a/tests/drivers/head_object/head_object_rest.sh
+++ b/tests/drivers/head_object/head_object_rest.sh
@@ -286,3 +286,90 @@ get_delete_marker_and_verify_405() {
   fi
   return 0
 }
+
+parse_checksum_and_file_size() {
+  if ! check_param_count_v2 "data file" 1 $#; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+  local key value lowercase_key checksum_algorithm checksum checksum_type file_size
+
+  while IFS=$': \r' read -r key value; do
+    lowercase_key=${key,,}
+    if [[ "$lowercase_key" == "x-amz-checksum-type" ]]; then
+      checksum_type="$value"
+    elif [[ "$lowercase_key" == "x-amz-checksum-"* ]]; then
+      checksum_algorithm="${lowercase_key/x-amz-checksum-/}"
+      checksum="$value"
+    elif [[ "$lowercase_key" == "content-length" ]]; then
+      file_size="$value"
+    fi
+  done <<< "$(grep -aE '^.+: .+$' "$1")"
+
+  echo "${checksum_algorithm:-none} ${checksum:-none} ${checksum_type:-none} ${file_size:-none}"
+  return 0
+}
+
+get_checksum_and_file_size() {
+  if ! check_param_count_v2 "bucket name, object key" 2 $#; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+  local response
+
+  if ! response=$(send_rest_go_command_callback "200" "parse_checksum_and_file_size" "-method" "HEAD" "-bucketName" "$1" "-objectKey" "$2" "-signedParams" "x-amz-checksum-mode:ENABLED" 2>&1); then
+    log 2 "error sending HeadObject command and getting checksum and file size: $response"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  echo "$response"
+  return 0
+}
+
+# return 3 for error, 2 for skip, 1 for mismatch, 0 for match
+check_quick_compare() {
+  if ! check_param_count_v2 "local file, bucket name, object key" 3 $#; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+  local response local_file_size checksum_algorithm remote_checksum checksum_type remote_key_size
+
+  if [ -z "$QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE" ]; then
+    log 5 "no QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE env param"
+    return 2
+  fi
+
+  if ! response=$(get_file_size "$1" 2>&1); then
+    log 2 "error getting file size: $response"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  local_file_size="$response"
+
+  if [ "$local_file_size" -le "$QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE" ]; then
+    log 5 "file size '$local_file_size' less than quick compare size '$QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE'"
+    return 2
+  fi
+
+  if ! response=$(get_checksum_and_file_size "$2" "$3" 2>&1); then
+    log 2 "error getting checksum and file size: $response"
+    return 3
+  fi
+  log 5 "RESPONSE: $response"
+  read -r checksum_algorithm remote_checksum checksum_type remote_key_size <<< "$response"
+
+  if [ "$remote_checksum" == "none" ] || [ "$checksum_algorithm" == "none" ] || [ "$checksum_type" != "FULL_OBJECT" ] || [ "$remote_key_size" == "none" ]; then
+    log 5 "skipping calcuation, no checksum or checksum algorithm, wrong checksum type, or key size missing"
+    return 2
+  fi
+
+  if [ "$local_file_size" -ne "$remote_key_size" ]; then
+    log 2 "file size mismatch ('$local_file_size' locally, '$remote_key_size' remotely)"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if ! local_checksum=$(DATA_FILE="$1" CHECKSUM_TYPE="$checksum_algorithm" TEST_FILE_FOLDER="$TEST_FILE_FOLDER" ./tests/rest_scripts/calculate_checksum.sh 2>&1); then
+    log 2 "error calculating checksum: $local_checksum"
+    return 3
+  fi
+  if [ "$remote_checksum" != "$local_checksum" ]; then
+    log 2 "checksum mismatch ('$local_checksum' locally, '$remote_checksum' remotely)"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  return 0
+}
diff --git a/tests/env.sh b/tests/env.sh
index f3b42197..0b0959cc 100644
--- a/tests/env.sh
+++ b/tests/env.sh
@@ -199,6 +199,9 @@ check_universal_vars() {
   if [ -n "$COVERAGE_LOG" ]; then
     export COVERAGE_LOG
   fi
+  if [ -n "$QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE" ]; then
+    export QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE
+  fi
 
   if ! check_aws_vars; then
     log 1 "error checking AWS-related env vars"
diff --git a/tests/test_common.sh b/tests/test_common.sh
index c582e1e9..c9413c3e 100644
--- a/tests/test_common.sh
+++ b/tests/test_common.sh
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ test_common_multipart_upload() {
   fi
 
   log 5 "file: $TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file, bucket: $bucket_name"
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_name" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_name" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ test_common_copy_object() {
     run copy_object "$1" "$bucket_one/$object_name" "$bucket_two" "$object_name"
     assert_success
   fi
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$object_name" "$bucket_two" "$object_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$object_name-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$object_name" "$bucket_two" "$object_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$object_name-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ test_common_put_object() {
     assert_success
   fi
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$2" "$bucket_name" "$2" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${2}-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$2" "$bucket_name" "$2" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${2}-copy"
   assert_success
 
   run delete_object "$1" "$bucket_name" "$2"
diff --git a/tests/test_rest_chunked.sh b/tests/test_rest_chunked.sh
index 7f7f8ee0..eccf947c 100755
--- a/tests/test_rest_chunked.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rest_chunked.sh
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/put_bucket_ownership_controls/put_bucket_ownership_contro
   run chunked_upload_success "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/put_bucket_ownership_controls/put_bucket_ownership_contro
   run chunked_upload_success "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/put_bucket_ownership_controls/put_bucket_ownership_contro
   run chunked_upload_success "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/put_bucket_ownership_controls/put_bucket_ownership_contro
   run chunked_upload_success "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/put_bucket_ownership_controls/put_bucket_ownership_contro
   run chunked_upload_trailer_different_chunk_size "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "sha256"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/test_rest_delete_object.sh b/tests/test_rest_delete_object.sh
index 7052f719..825be56d 100755
--- a/tests/test_rest_delete_object.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rest_delete_object.sh
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ source ./tests/setup.sh
   run put_object "rest" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 
   run delete_object "rest" "$bucket_name" "$test_file"
diff --git a/tests/test_rest_delete_objects.sh b/tests/test_rest_delete_objects.sh
index 03272b71..eb0558e8 100755
--- a/tests/test_rest_delete_objects.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rest_delete_objects.sh
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ source ./tests/setup.sh
    "-contentMD5" "-objectsToDelete" "key=$incorrect_file_name" "--" "$incorrect_file_name" "DeleteResult" "Deleted" "Key"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${file_name}-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${file_name}-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ source ./tests/setup.sh
    "-contentMD5" "-objectsToDelete" "key=$file_name;eTag=abc" "--" "$file_name"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${file_name}-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${file_name}-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ source ./tests/setup.sh
    "-contentMD5" "-objectsToDelete" "key=$file_name;versionId=$incorrect_version" "--" "$file_name" "$incorrect_version"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${file_name}-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${file_name}-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/test_rest_head_object.sh b/tests/test_rest_head_object.sh
index 24c12605..5b4bb1a5 100755
--- a/tests/test_rest_head_object.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rest_head_object.sh
@@ -133,3 +133,20 @@ source ./tests/drivers/string.sh
     assert_success
   done
 }
+
+@test "REST - quick compare" {
+  run setup_bucket_and_large_file_v3 "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" 5
+  assert_success
+  read -r bucket_name file_name <<< "$output"
+
+  run put_object_rest "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name"
+  assert_success
+
+  export QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE=1000000
+  run check_quick_compare "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name"
+  assert_success
+
+  export QUICK_COMPARE_SIZE=10000000
+  run check_quick_compare "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$file_name" "$bucket_name" "$file_name"
+  assert_failure 2
+}
diff --git a/tests/test_rest_multipart.sh b/tests/test_rest_multipart.sh
index 67de6b5c..19f90c08 100755
--- a/tests/test_rest_multipart.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rest_multipart.sh
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/upload_part/upload_part_rest.sh
     "$part_one" "$part_two" "$part_three" "$part_four"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file" "$bucket_name" "$large_test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file" "$bucket_name" "$large_test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ source ./tests/drivers/upload_part/upload_part_rest.sh
   run create_upload_part_copy_rest "$bucket_name" "$large_test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file" "$bucket_name" "$large_test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file" "$bucket_name" "$large_test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$large_test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/test_rest_put_object.sh b/tests/test_rest_put_object.sh
index c0d84145..37cf8a86 100755
--- a/tests/test_rest_put_object.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rest_put_object.sh
@@ -572,6 +572,6 @@ export RUN_USERS=true
   run send_openssl_go_command "200" "-method" "PUT" "-bucketName" "$bucket_name" "-objectKey" "$test_file" "-payload" "$payload_content"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${test_file}_downloaded"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file" "$bucket_name" "$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${test_file}_downloaded"
   assert_success
 }
diff --git a/tests/test_s3api_multipart.sh b/tests/test_s3api_multipart.sh
index 288d7f77..d79a744c 100755
--- a/tests/test_s3api_multipart.sh
+++ b/tests/test_s3api_multipart.sh
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export RUN_USERS=true
   run multipart_upload "$bucket_name" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER"/"$bucket_file" 4
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_name" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_name" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ export RUN_USERS=true
   run get_and_check_legal_hold "s3api" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "OFF"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ export RUN_USERS=true
   run multipart_upload_from_bucket "$bucket_name" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER"/"$bucket_file" 4
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_name" "${bucket_file}-copy" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy-two"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_name" "${bucket_file}-copy" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file-copy-two"
   assert_success
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/test_s3api_policy_object.sh b/tests/test_s3api_policy_object.sh
index 793eea95..a1ee402c 100644
--- a/tests/test_s3api_policy_object.sh
+++ b/tests/test_s3api_policy_object.sh
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ test_s3api_policy_put_wildcard() {
   run verify_user_cant_get_object "s3api" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$test_folder/$test_file" "$test_folder/$test_file-copy" "$username" "$password"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_folder/$test_file" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$test_folder/$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_folder/$test_file" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$test_folder/$test_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$test_file-copy"
   assert_success
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/test_s3api_root_inner.sh b/tests/test_s3api_root_inner.sh
index 58190c09..722a0e4a 100755
--- a/tests/test_s3api_root_inner.sh
+++ b/tests/test_s3api_root_inner.sh
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ test_put_object_s3api_root() {
   run copy_object "s3api" "$bucket_one/$bucket_file" "$bucket_two" "$bucket_file"
   assert_success
 
-  run download_and_compare_file "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_two" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${bucket_file}_copy"
+  run check_file_integrity "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/$bucket_file" "$bucket_two" "$bucket_file" "$TEST_FILE_FOLDER/${bucket_file}_copy"
   assert_success
 }