diff --git a/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/.gitignore b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..e97288e9c5eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# Allow custom pin mapping in Makefile.$(BOARD) files, but those don't need to
+# go upstream
+/Makefile.*
+# but un-ignore Makefile.ci
+!/Makefile.ci
diff --git a/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/Makefile b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d37ad224f441
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+BOARD ?= nucleo-f767zi
+
+# Custom per-board pin configuration (e.g. for setting PORT_IN, PIN_IN_0, ...)
+# can be provided in a Makefile.$(BOARD) file:
+-include Makefile.$(BOARD)
+
+# Choose two output pins that do not conflict with stdio and are not connected
+# to external devices such as sensors, network devices, etc.
+#
+# Beware: If other pins on the output port are configured as output GPIOs, they
+#         might be written to during this test.
+PORT_OUT ?= 0
+PIN_OUT_0 ?= 0
+PIN_OUT_1 ?= 1
+
+include ../Makefile.tests_common
+
+FEATURES_REQUIRED += periph_gpio_ll
+FEATURES_REQUIRED += periph_gpio
+FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_gpio_ll_irq
+FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_gpio_ll_irq_level_triggered_high
+FEATURES_OPTIONAL += periph_gpio_ll_irq_level_triggered_low
+
+USEMODULE += ztimer_usec
+
+include $(RIOTBASE)/Makefile.include
+
+# Configure if compensation of loop overhead in the estimation of the
+# toggling speed should be performed. Default: Do so, except for Cortex-M7.
+# For the Cortex-M7 the loop instructions are emitted together with the GPIO
+# writes due to the dual issue feature. Hence, there is no loop overhead for
+# Cortex-M7 to compensate for.
+ifeq (cortex-m7,$(CPU_CORE))
+  COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD ?= 0
+endif
+
+COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD ?= 1
+
+CFLAGS += -DPORT_OUT=$(PORT_OUT)
+CFLAGS += -DPIN_OUT_0=$(PIN_OUT_0)
+CFLAGS += -DPIN_OUT_1=$(PIN_OUT_1)
+CFLAGS += -DCOMPENSATE_OVERHEAD=$(COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD)
diff --git a/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/Makefile.ci b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/Makefile.ci
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..69c36480c64d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/Makefile.ci
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+BOARD_INSUFFICIENT_MEMORY := \
+    arduino-duemilanove \
+    arduino-nano \
+    arduino-uno \
+    atmega328p \
+    atmega328p-xplained-mini \
+    nucleo-l011k4 \
+    #
diff --git a/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/README.md b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..72d9afa20c37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# Benchmark for `periph/gpio_ll`
+
+This application will generate a square wave on two output pins with a phase
+difference of zero between them using both the `periph/gpio` API (as reference)
+and the `periph/gpio_ll` API. You can use a logic analyzer or scope to verify
+that the square waves are indeed simultaneous (no phase difference) and their
+frequency. Note that with the pin based `periph/gpio` API a phase difference is
+expected, but not for the port based `periph/gpio_ll` API.
+
+In addition, a timer is used to measure the average frequency over 50,000
+square wave periods. The overhead of the loop is estimated and a compensated
+frequency (that would be achievable only by unrolling the loop) is calculated.
+Both frequencies are printed, in addition to the number of CPU cycles per wave
+period. The optimal value is 2 CPU cycles (signal is 1 cycle high and 1 cycle
+low).
+
+## Configuration
+
+Configure in the `Makefile` or set via environment variables the number of
+the GPIO port to use via the `PORT_OUT` variable. The `PIN_OUT_0` and
+`PIN_OUT_1` variables select the pins to use within that GPIO port. If possible,
+choose a GPIO port that is fully broken out to pins of your board but left
+unconnected. That way you can connect a scope or a logic analyzer to verify
+the output.
+
+Note that the test using `gpio_ll_write()` might cause changes to unrelated pins
+on the `PORT_OUT` GPIO port, by restoring their value to what it was at the
+beginning of the benchmark.
+
+## FAQ
+
+Why are 4 functions calls used for `periph/gpio`, but only 2 for
+`periph/gpio_ll`? This isn't fair!
+
+Since in a port based APIs multiple pins can be accessed at once, only two
+accesses are needed (one for the high and one for the low part of each square
+wave period). In the pin based `periph/gpio` API, two accesses are needed per
+pin. This unfair advantage in speed is one of the reasons we want a low level
+port based API in RIOT - in addition to a more convenient to use and high level
+pin based API.
diff --git a/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/main.c b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..17c399985868
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,294 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2021 Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @ingroup     tests
+ * @{
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @brief       Test application for the Peripheral GPIO Low-Level API
+ *
+ * @author      Marian Buschsieweke <marian.buschsieweke@ovgu.de>
+ *
+ * @}
+ */
+
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#include "mutex.h"
+#include "periph/gpio.h"
+#include "periph/gpio_ll.h"
+#include "test_utils/expect.h"
+#include "ztimer.h"
+#include "timex.h"
+
+#ifndef COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD
+#define COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD 1
+#endif
+
+static gpio_port_t port_out = GPIO_PORT(PORT_OUT);
+
+static void print_summary_compensated(uint_fast16_t loops, uint32_t duration,
+                                      uint32_t duration_uncompensated)
+{
+    printf("%" PRIuFAST16 " iterations took %" PRIu32 " us "
+           "(%" PRIu32 " us uncompensated)\n",
+           loops, duration, duration_uncompensated);
+    printf("Two square waves pins at %12" PRIu32 " Hz "
+           "(%12" PRIu32 " Hz uncompensated)\n",
+           (uint32_t)((uint64_t)US_PER_SEC * loops / duration),
+           (uint32_t)((uint64_t)US_PER_SEC * loops / duration_uncompensated));
+#ifdef CLOCK_CORECLOCK
+    uint64_t divisor = (uint64_t)US_PER_SEC * loops / CLOCK_CORECLOCK;
+    uint32_t cycles = (duration + divisor / 2) / divisor;
+    uint32_t cycles_uncompensated = (duration_uncompensated + divisor / 2)
+                                  / divisor;
+    printf("~%" PRIu32 " CPU cycles per square wave period "
+           "(~%" PRIu32 " cycles uncompensated)\n",
+           cycles, cycles_uncompensated);
+    if (cycles <= 2) {
+        puts(":-D");
+    }
+    else if (cycles <= 4) {
+        puts(":-)");
+    }
+    else if (cycles <= 8) {
+        puts(":-|");
+    }
+    else if (cycles <= 16) {
+        puts(":-(");
+    }
+    else {
+        puts(":'-(");
+    }
+#endif
+}
+
+static void print_summary_uncompensated(uint_fast16_t loops, uint32_t duration)
+{
+    printf("%" PRIuFAST16 " iterations took %" PRIu32 " us\n",
+           loops, duration);
+    printf("Two square waves pins at %12" PRIu32 " Hz\n",
+           (uint32_t)((uint64_t)US_PER_SEC * loops / duration));
+#ifdef CLOCK_CORECLOCK
+    uint64_t divisor = (uint64_t)US_PER_SEC * loops / CLOCK_CORECLOCK;
+    uint32_t cycles = (duration + divisor / 2) / divisor;
+    printf("~%" PRIu32 " CPU cycles per square wave period\n", cycles);
+    if (cycles <= 2) {
+        puts(":-D");
+    }
+    else if (cycles <= 4) {
+        puts(":-)");
+    }
+    else if (cycles <= 8) {
+        puts(":-|");
+    }
+    else if (cycles <= 16) {
+        puts(":-(");
+    }
+    else {
+        puts(":'-(");
+    }
+#endif
+}
+
+int main(void)
+{
+    static const uint_fast16_t loops = 50000;
+    uint32_t loop_overhead = 0;
+
+    uword_t mask_both = (1U << PIN_OUT_0) | (1U << PIN_OUT_1);
+
+    puts("\n"
+         "Benchmarking GPIO APIs\n"
+         "======================");
+
+    if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+        puts("\n"
+             "estimating loop overhead for compensation\n"
+             "-----------------------------------------");
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            __asm__ volatile ("" : : : );
+        }
+        loop_overhead = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+        printf("%" PRIu32 " us for %" PRIuFAST16 " iterations\n",
+               loop_overhead, loops);
+    }
+
+    {
+        puts("\n"
+             "periph/gpio: Using 2x gpio_set() and 2x gpio_clear()\n"
+             "---------------------------------------------------");
+        gpio_t p0 = GPIO_PIN(PORT_OUT, PIN_OUT_0);
+        gpio_t p1 = GPIO_PIN(PORT_OUT, PIN_OUT_1);
+        gpio_init(p0, GPIO_OUT);
+        gpio_init(p1, GPIO_OUT);
+
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            gpio_set(p0);
+            gpio_set(p1);
+            gpio_clear(p0);
+            gpio_clear(p1);
+        }
+        uint32_t duration = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+
+        if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+            print_summary_compensated(loops, duration - loop_overhead,
+                                      duration);
+        }
+        else {
+            print_summary_uncompensated(loops, duration);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        puts("\n"
+             "periph/gpio_ll: Using gpio_ll_set() and gpio_ll_clear()\n"
+             "-------------------------------------------------------");
+        gpio_conf_t conf = {
+            .state = GPIO_OUTPUT_PUSH_PULL,
+            .slew_rate = GPIO_SLEW_FASTEST
+        };
+        expect(0 == gpio_ll_init(port_out, PIN_OUT_0, &conf));
+        expect(0 == gpio_ll_init(port_out, PIN_OUT_1, &conf));
+
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            gpio_ll_set(port_out, (1UL << PIN_OUT_0) | (1UL << PIN_OUT_1));
+            gpio_ll_clear(port_out, (1UL << PIN_OUT_0) | (1UL << PIN_OUT_1));
+        }
+        uint32_t duration = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+
+        if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+            print_summary_compensated(loops, duration - loop_overhead,
+                                      duration);
+        }
+        else {
+            print_summary_uncompensated(loops, duration);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        puts("\n"
+             "periph/gpio: Using 4x gpio_toggle()\n"
+             "-----------------------------------");
+        gpio_t p0 = GPIO_PIN(PORT_OUT, PIN_OUT_0);
+        gpio_t p1 = GPIO_PIN(PORT_OUT, PIN_OUT_1);
+        gpio_init(p0, GPIO_OUT);
+        gpio_init(p1, GPIO_OUT);
+
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            gpio_toggle(p0);
+            gpio_toggle(p1);
+            gpio_toggle(p0);
+            gpio_toggle(p1);
+        }
+        uint32_t duration = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+
+        if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+            print_summary_compensated(loops, duration - loop_overhead,
+                                      duration);
+        }
+        else {
+            print_summary_uncompensated(loops, duration);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        puts("\n"
+             "periph/gpio_ll: Using 2x gpio_ll_toggle()\n"
+             "-----------------------------------------");
+        gpio_conf_t conf = {
+            .state = GPIO_OUTPUT_PUSH_PULL,
+            .slew_rate = GPIO_SLEW_FASTEST
+        };
+        expect(0 == gpio_ll_init(port_out, PIN_OUT_0, &conf));
+        expect(0 == gpio_ll_init(port_out, PIN_OUT_1, &conf));
+
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            gpio_ll_toggle(port_out, mask_both);
+            gpio_ll_toggle(port_out, mask_both);
+        }
+        uint32_t duration = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+
+        if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+            print_summary_compensated(loops, duration - loop_overhead,
+                                      duration);
+        }
+        else {
+            print_summary_uncompensated(loops, duration);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        puts("\n"
+             "periph/gpio: Using 4x gpio_write()\n"
+             "----------------------------------");
+        gpio_t p0 = GPIO_PIN(PORT_OUT, PIN_OUT_0);
+        gpio_t p1 = GPIO_PIN(PORT_OUT, PIN_OUT_1);
+        gpio_init(p0, GPIO_OUT);
+        gpio_init(p1, GPIO_OUT);
+
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            gpio_write(p0, 1);
+            gpio_write(p1, 1);
+            gpio_write(p0, 0);
+            gpio_write(p1, 0);
+        }
+        uint32_t duration = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+
+        if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+            print_summary_compensated(loops, duration - loop_overhead,
+                                      duration);
+        }
+        else {
+            print_summary_uncompensated(loops, duration);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        puts("\n"
+             "periph/gpio_ll: Using 2x gpio_ll_write()\n"
+             "----------------------------------------");
+        gpio_conf_t conf = {
+            .state = GPIO_OUTPUT_PUSH_PULL,
+            .slew_rate = GPIO_SLEW_FASTEST
+        };
+        expect(0 == gpio_ll_init(port_out, PIN_OUT_0, &conf));
+        expect(0 == gpio_ll_init(port_out, PIN_OUT_1, &conf));
+
+        uword_t both_high = gpio_ll_prepare_write(port_out, mask_both,
+                                                  mask_both);
+        uword_t both_low = gpio_ll_prepare_write(port_out, mask_both, 0);
+        uint32_t start = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC);
+        for (uint_fast16_t i = loops; i > 0; i--) {
+            gpio_ll_write(port_out, both_high);
+            gpio_ll_write(port_out, both_low);
+        }
+        uint32_t duration = ztimer_now(ZTIMER_USEC) - start;
+
+        if (COMPENSATE_OVERHEAD) {
+            print_summary_compensated(loops, duration - loop_overhead,
+                                      duration);
+        }
+        else {
+            print_summary_uncompensated(loops, duration);
+        }
+    }
+
+    puts("\n\nTEST SUCCEEDED");
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/tests-with-config/01-run.py b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/tests-with-config/01-run.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000000..500048e3bb0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bench_periph_gpio_ll/tests-with-config/01-run.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+# Copyright (C) 2022 Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
+#
+# This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+# General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+# directory for more details.
+
+import sys
+from testrunner import run
+
+
+def testfunc(child):
+    child.expect('TEST SUCCEEDED')
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(run(testfunc))