Obviously you can compare starting a motor directly vs. with a VFD, and main benefit of using a VFD for starting a motor will be that you can reduce the starting current, but you must consider that VFD should not be considered for this purpose only. VFD is intended mainly for speed control instead that for starting purposes.
The experiment statement is not clear. In case of starting using VFD (compared to direct on line starting), the starting current will be low and the starting torque will be high. The first can be measured using an ammeter but the second needs loading arrangement with torque measurement system. Can you elaborate on your set-up?