diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index b1d92f55df..a309da4ded 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -546,6 +546,7 @@ ALL_BASE_HEADERS =  \
 	wx/socket.h \
 	wx/url.h \
 	wx/webrequest.h \
+	wx/webrequest_curl.h \
 	wx/xml/xml.h \
 	wx/xtixml.h
 ALL_HEADERS =  \
@@ -766,6 +767,7 @@ ALL_PORTS_BASE_HEADERS =  \
 	wx/socket.h \
 	wx/url.h \
 	wx/webrequest.h \
+	wx/webrequest_curl.h \
 	wx/xml/xml.h \
 	wx/xtixml.h
 ALL_BASE_SOURCES =  \
@@ -916,9 +918,11 @@ ALL_BASE_SOURCES =  \
 	src/common/socket.cpp \
 	src/common/url.cpp \
 	src/common/webrequest.cpp \
+	src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp \
 	src/common/socketiohandler.cpp \
 	src/unix/sockunix.cpp \
 	src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp \
+	src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm \
 	src/msw/sockmsw.cpp \
 	src/msw/urlmsw.cpp \
 	src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp \
@@ -1060,6 +1064,7 @@ MONODLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	monodll_socket.o \
 	monodll_url.o \
 	monodll_webrequest.o \
+	monodll_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS) \
 	$(__MONOLIB_GUI_SRC_OBJECTS) \
 	monodll_xml.o \
@@ -1203,6 +1208,7 @@ MONOLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	monolib_socket.o \
 	monolib_url.o \
 	monolib_webrequest.o \
+	monolib_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1) \
 	$(__MONOLIB_GUI_SRC_OBJECTS_1) \
 	monolib_xml.o \
@@ -1445,6 +1451,12 @@ NETDLL_CXXFLAGS = $(__netdll_PCH_INC) -D__WX$(TOOLKIT)__ $(__WXUNIV_DEFINE_p) \
 	$(__INC_JPEG_p) $(__INC_PNG_p) $(__INC_ZLIB_p) $(__INC_REGEX_p) \
 	$(__INC_EXPAT_p) -DwxUSE_GUI=0 -DWXUSINGDLL -DWXMAKINGDLL_NET $(PIC_FLAG) \
 	$(CXXWARNINGS) $(CPPFLAGS) $(CXXFLAGS)
+NETDLL_OBJCXXFLAGS = $(__netdll_PCH_INC) -D__WX$(TOOLKIT)__ \
+	$(__WXUNIV_DEFINE_p) $(__DEBUG_DEFINE_p) $(__EXCEPTIONS_DEFINE_p) \
+	$(__RTTI_DEFINE_p) $(__THREAD_DEFINE_p) -DWXBUILDING $(__INC_TIFF_BUILD_p) \
+	$(__INC_TIFF_p) $(__INC_JPEG_p) $(__INC_PNG_p) $(__INC_ZLIB_p) \
+	$(__INC_REGEX_p) $(__INC_EXPAT_p) -DwxUSE_GUI=0 -DWXUSINGDLL \
+	-DWXMAKINGDLL_NET $(PIC_FLAG) $(CPPFLAGS) $(OBJCXXFLAGS)
 NETDLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(__netdll___win32rc) \
 	netdll_fs_inet.o \
@@ -1458,6 +1470,7 @@ NETDLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	netdll_socket.o \
 	netdll_url.o \
 	netdll_webrequest.o \
+	netdll_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2)
 NETDLL_ODEP =  $(_____pch_wxprec_netdll_wx_wxprec_h_gch___depname)
 NETLIB_CXXFLAGS = $(__netlib_PCH_INC) -D__WX$(TOOLKIT)__ $(__WXUNIV_DEFINE_p) \
@@ -1465,6 +1478,11 @@ NETLIB_CXXFLAGS = $(__netlib_PCH_INC) -D__WX$(TOOLKIT)__ $(__WXUNIV_DEFINE_p) \
 	$(__THREAD_DEFINE_p) -DWXBUILDING $(__INC_TIFF_BUILD_p) $(__INC_TIFF_p) \
 	$(__INC_JPEG_p) $(__INC_PNG_p) $(__INC_ZLIB_p) $(__INC_REGEX_p) \
 	$(__INC_EXPAT_p) -DwxUSE_GUI=0 $(CXXWARNINGS) $(CPPFLAGS) $(CXXFLAGS)
+NETLIB_OBJCXXFLAGS = $(__netlib_PCH_INC) -D__WX$(TOOLKIT)__ \
+	$(__WXUNIV_DEFINE_p) $(__DEBUG_DEFINE_p) $(__EXCEPTIONS_DEFINE_p) \
+	$(__RTTI_DEFINE_p) $(__THREAD_DEFINE_p) -DWXBUILDING $(__INC_TIFF_BUILD_p) \
+	$(__INC_TIFF_p) $(__INC_JPEG_p) $(__INC_PNG_p) $(__INC_ZLIB_p) \
+	$(__INC_REGEX_p) $(__INC_EXPAT_p) -DwxUSE_GUI=0 $(CPPFLAGS) $(OBJCXXFLAGS)
 NETLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	netlib_fs_inet.o \
 	netlib_ftp.o \
@@ -1477,6 +1495,7 @@ NETLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	netlib_socket.o \
 	netlib_url.o \
 	netlib_webrequest.o \
+	netlib_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3)
 NETLIB_ODEP =  $(_____pch_wxprec_netlib_wx_wxprec_h_gch___depname)
 COREDLL_CFLAGS = $(__coredll_PCH_INC) -D__WX$(TOOLKIT)__ $(__WXUNIV_DEFINE_p) \
@@ -4233,9 +4252,12 @@ COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1___BASE_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS =  \
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@	= monodll_msw_main.o monodll_volume.o
 @COND_TOOLKIT_OSX_COCOA@__BASE_AND_GUI_TOOLKIT_SRC_OBJECTS \
 @COND_TOOLKIT_OSX_COCOA@	= monodll_cocoa_power.o monodll_cocoa_utils.o
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	= monodll_socketiohandler.o monodll_sockunix.o \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	monodll_sockosx.o
+COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS =  \
+	monodll_socketiohandler.o \
+	monodll_sockunix.o \
+	monodll_sockosx.o \
+	monodll_webrequest_urlsession.o
+@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS = $(COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS)
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS = \
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@	monodll_socketiohandler.o monodll_sockunix.o
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS = \
@@ -6212,9 +6234,12 @@ COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1___BASE_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1 =  \
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@	= monolib_msw_main.o monolib_volume.o
 @COND_TOOLKIT_OSX_COCOA@__BASE_AND_GUI_TOOLKIT_SRC_OBJECTS_1 \
 @COND_TOOLKIT_OSX_COCOA@	= monolib_cocoa_power.o monolib_cocoa_utils.o
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1 \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	= monolib_socketiohandler.o monolib_sockunix.o \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	monolib_sockosx.o
+COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1 =  \
+	monolib_socketiohandler.o \
+	monolib_sockunix.o \
+	monolib_sockosx.o \
+	monolib_webrequest_urlsession.o
+@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1 = $(COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1)
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1 = \
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@	monolib_socketiohandler.o monolib_sockunix.o
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_1 \
@@ -8393,9 +8418,12 @@ COND_USE_SOVERSOLARIS_1___netdll___so_symlinks_uninst_cmd = rm -f \
 	$(LIBPREFIX)wx_base$(WXBASEPORT)$(WXUNICODEFLAG)$(WXDEBUGFLAG)$(WX_LIB_FLAVOUR)_net-$(WX_RELEASE)$(HOST_SUFFIX).$(DLLIMP_SUFFIX)
 @COND_USE_SOVERSOLARIS_1@__netdll___so_symlinks_uninst_cmd = $(COND_USE_SOVERSOLARIS_1___netdll___so_symlinks_uninst_cmd)
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@__netdll___win32rc = netdll_version_rc.o
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2 \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	= netdll_socketiohandler.o netdll_sockunix.o \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	netdll_sockosx.o
+COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2 =  \
+	netdll_socketiohandler.o \
+	netdll_sockunix.o \
+	netdll_sockosx.o \
+	netdll_webrequest_urlsession.o
+@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2 = $(COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2)
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2 = \
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@	netdll_socketiohandler.o netdll_sockunix.o
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_2 \
@@ -8411,9 +8439,12 @@ COND_MONOLITHIC_0_SHARED_0___netlib___depname = \
 @COND_ICC_PCH_1@	./.pch/wxprec_netlib/wx/wxprec.h.gch
 @COND_USE_PCH_1@_____pch_wxprec_netlib_wx_wxprec_h_gch___depname \
 @COND_USE_PCH_1@	= ./.pch/wxprec_netlib/wx/wxprec.h.gch
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3 \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	= netlib_socketiohandler.o netlib_sockunix.o \
-@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@	netlib_sockosx.o
+COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3 =  \
+	netlib_socketiohandler.o \
+	netlib_sockunix.o \
+	netlib_sockosx.o \
+	netlib_webrequest_urlsession.o
+@COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3 = $(COND_PLATFORM_MACOSX_1___NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3)
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3 = \
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@	netlib_socketiohandler.o netlib_sockunix.o
 @COND_PLATFORM_WIN32_1@__NET_PLATFORM_SRC_OBJECTS_3 \
@@ -15923,6 +15954,9 @@ monodll_url.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/url.cpp $(MONODLL_ODEP)
 monodll_webrequest.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp $(MONODLL_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp
 
+monodll_webrequest_curl.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp $(MONODLL_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 monodll_sockmsw.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp $(MONODLL_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -15935,6 +15969,9 @@ monodll_webrequest_winhttp.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp $(MONODLL
 monodll_sockosx.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp $(MONODLL_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
 
+monodll_webrequest_urlsession.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm $(MONODLL_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_OBJCXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
+
 monodll_gtk_eggtrayicon.o: $(srcdir)/src/gtk/eggtrayicon.c $(MONODLL_ODEP)
 	$(CCC) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/gtk/eggtrayicon.c
 
@@ -21185,6 +21222,9 @@ monolib_url.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/url.cpp $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
 monolib_webrequest.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp
 
+monolib_webrequest_curl.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 monolib_sockmsw.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -21197,6 +21237,9 @@ monolib_webrequest_winhttp.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp $(MONOLIB
 monolib_sockosx.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
 
+monolib_webrequest_urlsession.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_OBJCXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
+
 monolib_gtk_eggtrayicon.o: $(srcdir)/src/gtk/eggtrayicon.c $(MONOLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CCC) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/gtk/eggtrayicon.c
 
@@ -27017,6 +27060,9 @@ netdll_url.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/url.cpp $(NETDLL_ODEP)
 netdll_webrequest.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp $(NETDLL_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp
 
+netdll_webrequest_curl.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp $(NETDLL_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 netdll_sockmsw.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp $(NETDLL_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -27029,6 +27075,9 @@ netdll_webrequest_winhttp.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp $(NETDLL_O
 netdll_sockosx.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp $(NETDLL_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
 
+netdll_webrequest_urlsession.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm $(NETDLL_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_OBJCXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
+
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@netdll_socketiohandler.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/socketiohandler.cpp $(NETDLL_ODEP)
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/socketiohandler.cpp
 
@@ -27074,6 +27123,9 @@ netlib_url.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/url.cpp $(NETLIB_ODEP)
 netlib_webrequest.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp $(NETLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest.cpp
 
+netlib_webrequest_curl.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp $(NETLIB_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 netlib_sockmsw.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp $(NETLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -27086,6 +27138,9 @@ netlib_webrequest_winhttp.o: $(srcdir)/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp $(NETLIB_O
 netlib_sockosx.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp $(NETLIB_ODEP)
 	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
 
+netlib_webrequest_urlsession.o: $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm $(NETLIB_ODEP)
+	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_OBJCXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
+
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@netlib_socketiohandler.o: $(srcdir)/src/common/socketiohandler.cpp $(NETLIB_ODEP)
 @COND_PLATFORM_UNIX_1@	$(CXXC) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(srcdir)/src/common/socketiohandler.cpp
 
diff --git a/build/bakefiles/files.bkl b/build/bakefiles/files.bkl
index 66ac82af7b..0c6778fca6 100644
--- a/build/bakefiles/files.bkl
+++ b/build/bakefiles/files.bkl
@@ -751,6 +751,7 @@ IMPORTANT: please read docs/tech/tn0016.txt before modifying this file!
 
 <set var="NET_OSX_SRC" hints="files">
     src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
+    src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
 </set>
 
 <set var="NET_WIN32_SRC" hints="files">
@@ -775,6 +776,7 @@ IMPORTANT: please read docs/tech/tn0016.txt before modifying this file!
     src/common/socket.cpp
     src/common/url.cpp
     src/common/webrequest.cpp
+    src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
 </set>
 <set var="NET_CMN_HDR" hints="files">
     wx/fs_inet.h
@@ -789,6 +791,7 @@ IMPORTANT: please read docs/tech/tn0016.txt before modifying this file!
     wx/socket.h
     wx/url.h
     wx/webrequest.h
+    wx/webrequest_curl.h
 </set>
 
 <!-- ====================================================================== -->
diff --git a/build/cmake/files.cmake b/build/cmake/files.cmake
index 54659bf217..5bcef6950b 100644
--- a/build/cmake/files.cmake
+++ b/build/cmake/files.cmake
@@ -661,6 +661,11 @@ set(NET_UNIX_SRC
 
 set(NET_OSX_SRC
     src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
+    src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
+)
+
+set(NET_OSX_HDR
+    wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h
 )
 
 set(NET_WIN32_SRC
@@ -685,6 +690,7 @@ set(NET_CMN_SRC
     src/common/socket.cpp
     src/common/url.cpp
     src/common/webrequest.cpp
+    src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
 )
 
 set(NET_CMN_HDR
@@ -700,6 +706,7 @@ set(NET_CMN_HDR
     wx/socket.h
     wx/url.h
     wx/webrequest.h
+    wx/webrequest_curl.h
 )
 
 set(QA_SRC
diff --git a/build/cmake/lib/net/CMakeLists.txt b/build/cmake/lib/net/CMakeLists.txt
index fa0af82227..c19c24c092 100644
--- a/build/cmake/lib/net/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/build/cmake/lib/net/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ wx_add_library(net IS_BASE ${NET_FILES})
 if(WIN32)
     wx_lib_link_libraries(net PRIVATE ws2_32)
 
-    if(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST)
+    if(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP)
         wx_lib_link_libraries(net PRIVATE Winhttp)
     endif()
 endif()
diff --git a/build/cmake/options.cmake b/build/cmake/options.cmake
index 155ca66a35..9d3852521e 100644
--- a/build/cmake/options.cmake
+++ b/build/cmake/options.cmake
@@ -146,7 +146,19 @@ wx_option(wxUSE_TEXTBUFFER "use wxTextBuffer class")
 wx_option(wxUSE_TEXTFILE "use wxTextFile class")
 wx_option(wxUSE_TIMER "use wxTimer class")
 wx_option(wxUSE_VARIANT "use wxVariant class")
+
+# WebRequest options
 wx_option(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST "use wxWebRequest class")
+if(WIN32)
+    wx_option(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP "use wxWebRequest WinHTTP backend")
+endif()
+if(APPLE)
+    wx_option(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION "use wxWebRequest URLSession backend")
+endif()
+set(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL_DEFAULT OFF)
+#TODO: determine wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL_DEFAULT (based)
+wx_option(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL "use wxWebRequest libcurl backend" ${wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL_DEFAULT})
+
 wx_option(wxUSE_ZIPSTREAM "use wxZip streams")
 
 # URL-related classes
diff --git a/build/cmake/setup.h.in b/build/cmake/setup.h.in
index 7c06dd28e2..b3e964f146 100644
--- a/build/cmake/setup.h.in
+++ b/build/cmake/setup.h.in
@@ -299,7 +299,31 @@
 
 #cmakedefine01 wxUSE_MIMETYPE
 
+
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
+#else
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
+#endif
+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+#else
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+#endif
+
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+#else
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+#endif
+
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST
+#else
+#cmakedefine01 wxUSE_WEBREQUEST
+#endif
 
 #cmakedefine01 wxUSE_PROTOCOL
 
diff --git a/build/files b/build/files
index 5a0ebe658c..eeee55a364 100644
--- a/build/files
+++ b/build/files
@@ -678,6 +678,9 @@ NET_UNIX_SRC =
 
 NET_OSX_SRC =
     src/osx/core/sockosx.cpp
+    src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
+NET_OSX_HDR =
+    wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h
 
 NET_WIN32_SRC =
     src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
@@ -698,6 +701,7 @@ NET_CMN_SRC =
     src/common/socket.cpp
     src/common/url.cpp
     src/common/webrequest.cpp
+    src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
 NET_CMN_HDR =
     wx/fs_inet.h
     wx/protocol/file.h
@@ -711,6 +715,7 @@ NET_CMN_HDR =
     wx/socket.h
     wx/url.h
     wx/webrequest.h
+    wx/webrequest_curl.h
 
 # wxQA (non GUI library)
 
diff --git a/build/msw/makefile.bcc b/build/msw/makefile.bcc
index c9ccf9df3c..4e2d3249d1 100644
--- a/build/msw/makefile.bcc
+++ b/build/msw/makefile.bcc
@@ -494,6 +494,7 @@ MONODLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_winhttp.obj \
@@ -648,6 +649,7 @@ MONOLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_winhttp.obj \
@@ -942,6 +944,7 @@ NETDLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_winhttp.obj
@@ -966,6 +969,7 @@ NETLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_winhttp.obj
@@ -6793,6 +6797,9 @@ $(OBJS)\monodll_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\monodll_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -9345,6 +9352,9 @@ $(OBJS)\monolib_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\monolib_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -12248,6 +12258,9 @@ $(OBJS)\netdll_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\netdll_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -12293,6 +12306,9 @@ $(OBJS)\netlib_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\netlib_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -q -c -P -o$@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
diff --git a/build/msw/makefile.gcc b/build/msw/makefile.gcc
index 280498e6fc..a4417135d2 100644
--- a/build/msw/makefile.gcc
+++ b/build/msw/makefile.gcc
@@ -482,6 +482,7 @@ MONODLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_socket.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_url.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest.o \
+	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_sockmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_urlmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_winhttp.o \
@@ -637,6 +638,7 @@ MONOLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_socket.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_url.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest.o \
+	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_sockmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_urlmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_winhttp.o \
@@ -933,6 +935,7 @@ NETDLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_socket.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_url.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest.o \
+	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_sockmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_urlmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_winhttp.o
@@ -957,6 +960,7 @@ NETLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_socket.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_url.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest.o \
+	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_curl.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_sockmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_urlmsw.o \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_winhttp.o
@@ -6975,6 +6979,9 @@ $(OBJS)\monodll_url.o: ../../src/common/url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest.o: ../../src/common/webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
+$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_curl.o: ../../src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
+
 $(OBJS)\monodll_sockmsw.o: ../../src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
@@ -9527,6 +9534,9 @@ $(OBJS)\monolib_url.o: ../../src/common/url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest.o: ../../src/common/webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
+$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_curl.o: ../../src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
+
 $(OBJS)\monolib_sockmsw.o: ../../src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
@@ -12430,6 +12440,9 @@ $(OBJS)\netdll_url.o: ../../src/common/url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest.o: ../../src/common/webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
+$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_curl.o: ../../src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
+
 $(OBJS)\netdll_sockmsw.o: ../../src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
@@ -12475,6 +12488,9 @@ $(OBJS)\netlib_url.o: ../../src/common/url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest.o: ../../src/common/webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
+$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_curl.o: ../../src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
+
 $(OBJS)\netlib_sockmsw.o: ../../src/msw/sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) -c -o $@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) $(CPPDEPS) $<
 
diff --git a/build/msw/makefile.vc b/build/msw/makefile.vc
index ab3f90cd4e..3e366e2529 100644
--- a/build/msw/makefile.vc
+++ b/build/msw/makefile.vc
@@ -514,6 +514,7 @@ MONODLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_winhttp.obj \
@@ -678,6 +679,7 @@ MONOLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_winhttp.obj \
@@ -994,6 +996,7 @@ NETDLL_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_winhttp.obj
@@ -1024,6 +1027,7 @@ NETLIB_OBJECTS =  \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_socket.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_url.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest.obj \
+	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_curl.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_sockmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_urlmsw.obj \
 	$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_winhttp.obj
@@ -7502,6 +7506,9 @@ $(OBJS)\monodll_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\monodll_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\monodll_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(MONODLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -10054,6 +10061,9 @@ $(OBJS)\monolib_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\monolib_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\monolib_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(MONOLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -12957,6 +12967,9 @@ $(OBJS)\netdll_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\netdll_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\netdll_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(NETDLL_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
@@ -13002,6 +13015,9 @@ $(OBJS)\netlib_url.obj: ..\..\src\common\url.cpp
 $(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp
 
+$(OBJS)\netlib_webrequest_curl.obj: ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp
+
 $(OBJS)\netlib_sockmsw.obj: ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 	$(CXX) /c /nologo /TP /Fo$@ $(NETLIB_CXXFLAGS) ..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp
 
diff --git a/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj b/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj
index 5b18ceda45..4c2eb69153 100644
--- a/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj
+++ b/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj
@@ -470,6 +470,7 @@
     <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\msw\urlmsw.cpp" />
     <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp" />
     <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\msw\webrequest_winhttp.cpp" />
+    <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp" />
   </ItemGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
     <ResourceCompile Include="..\..\src\msw\version.rc">
@@ -513,6 +514,7 @@
     <ClInclude Include="..\..\include\wx\url.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="..\..\include\wx\webrequest.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="..\..\include\wx\msw\webrequest_winhttp.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="..\..\include\wx\webrequest_curl.h" />
   </ItemGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
diff --git a/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj.filters b/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj.filters
index 50bfaa3932..d7cf069b48 100644
--- a/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj.filters
+++ b/build/msw/wx_net.vcxproj.filters
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@
     <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp">
       <Filter>Common Sources</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp">
+      <Filter>Common Sources</Filter>
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="..\..\src\msw\sockmsw.cpp">
       <Filter>MSW Sources</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
@@ -109,6 +112,9 @@
     <ClInclude Include="..\..\include\wx\webrequest.h">
       <Filter>Common Headers</Filter>
     </ClInclude>
+    <ClInclude Include="..\..\include\wx\webrequest_curl.h">
+      <Filter>Common Headers</Filter>
+    </ClInclude>
   </ItemGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
     <CustomBuild Include="..\..\include\wx\msw\setup.h">
diff --git a/build/msw/wx_vc7_net.vcproj b/build/msw/wx_vc7_net.vcproj
index 8acd78d68f..6e3b5bafae 100644
--- a/build/msw/wx_vc7_net.vcproj
+++ b/build/msw/wx_vc7_net.vcproj
@@ -336,6 +336,9 @@
 			<File
 				RelativePath="..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp">
 			</File>
+			<File
+				RelativePath="..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp">
+			</File>
 		</Filter>
 		<Filter
 			Name="MSW Sources"
@@ -494,6 +497,9 @@
 			<File
 				RelativePath="..\..\include\wx\webrequest.h">
 			</File>
+			<File
+				RelativePath="..\..\include\wx\webrequest_curl.h">
+			</File>
 		</Filter>
 	</Files>
 	<Globals>
diff --git a/build/msw/wx_vc8_net.vcproj b/build/msw/wx_vc8_net.vcproj
index dc42378627..11a6ba819b 100644
--- a/build/msw/wx_vc8_net.vcproj
+++ b/build/msw/wx_vc8_net.vcproj
@@ -853,6 +853,10 @@
 				RelativePath="..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp"
 				>
 			</File>
+			<File
+				RelativePath="..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp"
+				>
+			</File>
 		</Filter>
 		<Filter
 			Name="MSW Sources"
@@ -1161,6 +1165,10 @@
 				RelativePath="..\..\include\wx\webrequest.h"
 				>
 			</File>
+			<File
+				RelativePath="..\..\include\wx\webrequest_curl.h"
+				>
+			</File>
 		</Filter>
 	</Files>
 	<Globals>
diff --git a/build/msw/wx_vc9_net.vcproj b/build/msw/wx_vc9_net.vcproj
index be81ca3701..3118e85cad 100644
--- a/build/msw/wx_vc9_net.vcproj
+++ b/build/msw/wx_vc9_net.vcproj
@@ -849,6 +849,10 @@
 				RelativePath="..\..\src\common\webrequest.cpp"
 				>
 			</File>
+			<File
+				RelativePath="..\..\src\common\webrequest_curl.cpp"
+				>
+			</File>
 		</Filter>
 		<Filter
 			Name="MSW Sources"
@@ -1157,6 +1161,10 @@
 				RelativePath="..\..\include\wx\webrequest.h"
 				>
 			</File>
+			<File
+				RelativePath="..\..\include\wx\webrequest_curl.h"
+				>
+			</File>
 		</Filter>
 	</Files>
 	<Globals>
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 60db7082ed..6501210d28 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -36621,6 +36621,11 @@ fi
 if test "$wxUSE_WEBREQUEST" = "yes"; then
     $as_echo "#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1" >>confdefs.h
 
+
+    if test "$wxUSE_MSW" = 1; then
+                $as_echo "#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+    fi
 fi
 
 
diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index b632b2c84c..03959b657b 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -6347,6 +6347,11 @@ fi
 
 if test "$wxUSE_WEBREQUEST" = "yes"; then
     AC_DEFINE(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST)
+
+    if test "$wxUSE_MSW" = 1; then
+        dnl TODO: Check for the required headers/libraries under Windows
+        AC_DEFINE(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP)
+    fi
 fi
 
 dnl ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/include/wx/android/setup.h b/include/wx/android/setup.h
index 5ae9543714..29319adf15 100644
--- a/include/wx/android/setup.h
+++ b/include/wx/android/setup.h
@@ -647,11 +647,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/chkconf.h b/include/wx/chkconf.h
index d4db96bd15..9b524dfc79 100644
--- a/include/wx/chkconf.h
+++ b/include/wx/chkconf.h
@@ -2300,6 +2300,15 @@
 #   endif
 #endif /* wxUSE_WEBVIEW && !any web view backend */
 
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST && !(wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL)
+#   ifdef wxABORT_ON_CONFIG_ERROR
+#       error "wxUSE_WEBREQUEST requires at least one backend"
+#   else
+#       undef wxUSE_WEBREQUEST
+#       define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#   endif
+#endif /* wxUSE_WEBREQUEST && !any web request backend */
+
 #if wxUSE_PREFERENCES_EDITOR
     /*
         We can use either a generic implementation, using wxNotebook, or a
diff --git a/include/wx/gtk/setup0.h b/include/wx/gtk/setup0.h
index ddb2d2688a..4b3e816a4f 100644
--- a/include/wx/gtk/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/gtk/setup0.h
@@ -648,11 +648,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/motif/setup0.h b/include/wx/motif/setup0.h
index d7e39b324e..4a5136a035 100644
--- a/include/wx/motif/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/motif/setup0.h
@@ -648,11 +648,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/msw/setup0.h b/include/wx/msw/setup0.h
index d4560537bf..3b94cad9a6 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/setup0.h
@@ -648,11 +648,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/osx/setup0.h b/include/wx/osx/setup0.h
index 89d1fae92c..e1d6df71a9 100644
--- a/include/wx/osx/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/osx/setup0.h
@@ -654,11 +654,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h b/include/wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4997ac7305
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Name:        wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h
+// Purpose:     wxWebRequest implementation using URLSession
+// Author:      Tobias Taschner
+// Created:     2018-10-25
+// Copyright:   (c) 2018 wxWidgets development team
+// Licence:     wxWindows licence
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+#ifndef _WX_OSX_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION_H
+#define _WX_OSX_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION_H
+
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+
+DECLARE_WXCOCOA_OBJC_CLASS(NSURLSession);
+DECLARE_WXCOCOA_OBJC_CLASS(NSURLTask);
+
+class WXDLLIMPEXP_NET wxWebSessionURLSession: public wxWebSession
+{
+public:
+	wxWebSessionURLSession();
+
+	~wxWebSessionURLSession();
+
+	wxWebRequest* CreateRequest(const wxString& url, int id = wxID_ANY) wxOVERRIDE;
+
+private:
+	WX_NSURLSession m_session;
+
+	wxDECLARE_NO_COPY_CLASS(wxWebSessionURLSession);
+};
+
+class WXDLLIMPEXP_NET wxWebSessionFactoryURLSession: public wxWebSessionFactory
+{
+public:
+	wxWebSession* Create() wxOVERRIDE
+	{ return new wxWebSessionURLSession(); }
+};
+
+#endif // wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+
+#endif // _WX_OSX_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION_H
diff --git a/include/wx/setup_inc.h b/include/wx/setup_inc.h
index cad052ed0c..e32adbb8ac 100644
--- a/include/wx/setup_inc.h
+++ b/include/wx/setup_inc.h
@@ -644,11 +644,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/univ/setup0.h b/include/wx/univ/setup0.h
index 9028fe95fc..1fe8541ce7 100644
--- a/include/wx/univ/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/univ/setup0.h
@@ -647,11 +647,52 @@
 // wxMimeTypesManager class
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 1
 
+// wxWebRequest backend based on WinHTTP
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on Windows
+
+// Notice that we can't use wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION() nor wxCHECK_GCC_VERSION()
+// here as this file is included from wx/platform.h before they're defined.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 1 on macOS 10.9+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+// wxWebRequest backend based on NSURLSession
+//
+// Default is 1
+//
+// Recommended setting: 0 on Windows and macOS otherwise 1
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 1
+#endif
+
 // wxWebRequest and related classes: This will allow usage of system libraries
 // for HTTP(S) requests
 //
 // Default is 1
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 1
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 // wxProtocol and related classes: if you want to use either of wxFTP, wxHTTP
 // or wxURL you need to set this to 1.
diff --git a/include/wx/webrequest_curl.h b/include/wx/webrequest_curl.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9eb674095c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/wx/webrequest_curl.h
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Name:        wx/webrequest_curl.h
+// Purpose:     wxWebRequest implementation using libcurl
+// Author:      Tobias Taschner
+// Created:     2018-10-25
+// Copyright:   (c) 2018 wxWidgets development team
+// Licence:     wxWindows licence
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+#ifndef _WX_WEBREQUEST_CURL_H
+#define _WX_WEBREQUEST_CURL_H
+
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+
+class WXDLLIMPEXP_NET wxWebSessionCURL: public wxWebSession
+{
+public:
+	wxWebSessionCURL();
+
+	~wxWebSessionCURL();
+
+	wxWebRequest* CreateRequest(const wxString& url, int id = wxID_ANY) wxOVERRIDE;
+
+private:
+	wxDECLARE_NO_COPY_CLASS(wxWebSessionCURL);
+};
+
+class WXDLLIMPEXP_NET wxWebSessionFactoryCURL: public wxWebSessionFactory
+{
+public:
+	wxWebSession* Create() wxOVERRIDE
+	{ return new wxWebSessionCURL(); }
+};
+
+#endif // wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+
+#endif
diff --git a/setup.h.in b/setup.h.in
index 792e771fd3..071776d9c3 100644
--- a/setup.h.in
+++ b/setup.h.in
@@ -299,7 +299,31 @@
 
 #define wxUSE_MIMETYPE 0
 
+
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || \
+    (defined(__MINGW32__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP 0
+#endif
+
+#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9) && MAC_OS_X_VERSION_MAX_ALLOWED >= MAC_OS_X_VERSION_10_9
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION 0
+#endif
+
+#if defined(__WINDOWS__) || defined(__APPLE__)
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL 0
+#endif
+
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION || wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
 #define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#else
+#define wxUSE_WEBREQUEST 0
+#endif
 
 #define wxUSE_PROTOCOL 0
 
diff --git a/src/common/webrequest.cpp b/src/common/webrequest.cpp
index c70bbb18d6..0433d9e5f9 100644
--- a/src/common/webrequest.cpp
+++ b/src/common/webrequest.cpp
@@ -24,16 +24,26 @@
     #include "wx/translation.h"
 #endif
 
-#if defined(__WINDOWS__)
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
 #include "wx/msw/webrequest_winhttp.h"
 #endif
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+#include "wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h"
+#endif
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+#include "wx/webrequest_curl.h"
+#endif
 
 extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_NET(const char) wxWebSessionBackendWinHTTP[] = "wxWebSessionBackendWinHTTP";
 extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_NET(const char) wxWebSessionBackendURLSession[] = "wxWebSessionBackendURLSession";
 extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_NET(const char) wxWebSessionBackendCURL[] = "wxWebSessionBackendCURL";
 
-#if defined(__WINDOWS__)
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
 extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_NET(const char) wxWebSessionBackendDefault[] = "wxWebSessionBackendWinHTTP";
+#elif wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_NET(const char) wxWebSessionBackendDefault[] = "wxWebSessionBackendURLSession";
+#elif wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_NET(const char) wxWebSessionBackendDefault[] = "wxWebSessionBackendCURL";
 #endif
 
 wxDEFINE_EVENT(wxEVT_WEBREQUEST_STATE, wxWebRequestEvent);
@@ -156,10 +166,18 @@ void wxWebSession::RegisterFactory(const wxString& backend, wxSharedPtr<wxWebSes
 // static
 void wxWebSession::InitFactoryMap()
 {
-#if defined(__WINDOWS__)
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
     RegisterFactory(wxWebSessionBackendWinHTTP,
         wxSharedPtr<wxWebSessionFactory>(new wxWebSessionFactoryWinHTTP()));
 #endif
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+	RegisterFactory(wxWebSessionBackendURLSession,
+					wxSharedPtr<wxWebSessionFactory>(new wxWebSessionFactoryURLSession()));
+#endif
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+	RegisterFactory(wxWebSessionBackendCURL,
+					wxSharedPtr<wxWebSessionFactory>(new wxWebSessionFactoryCURL()));
+#endif
 }
 
 // static
diff --git a/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp b/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..86ce25c337
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/common/webrequest_curl.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Name:        src/common/webrequest_curl.h
+// Purpose:     wxWebRequest implementation using libcurl
+// Author:      Tobias Taschner
+// Created:     2018-10-25
+// Copyright:   (c) 2018 wxWidgets development team
+// Licence:     wxWindows licence
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+// For compilers that support precompilation, includes "wx.h".
+#include "wx/wxprec.h"
+
+#if defined(__BORLANDC__)
+#pragma hdrstop
+#endif
+
+#include "wx/webrequest.h"
+
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
+
+#include "wx/webrequest_curl.h"
+
+wxWebSessionCURL::wxWebSessionCURL()
+{
+
+}
+
+wxWebSessionCURL::~wxWebSessionCURL()
+{
+
+}
+
+wxWebRequest* wxWebSessionCURL::CreateRequest(const wxString& url, int id)
+{
+	wxFAIL_MSG("not implemented");
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+#endif // wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_CURL
diff --git a/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp b/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp
index f813cf37b2..e2e9663e03 100644
--- a/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/webrequest_winhttp.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 #include "wx/webrequest.h"
 
-#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
 
 #include "wx/mstream.h"
 #include "wx/uri.h"
@@ -472,4 +472,4 @@ wxWebRequest* wxWebSessionWinHTTP::CreateRequest(const wxString& url, int id)
     return new wxWebRequestWinHTTP(id, *this, url);
 }
 
-#endif // wxUSE_WEBREQUEST
+#endif // wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_WINHTTP
diff --git a/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm b/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7b241e8034
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.mm
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Name:        src/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h
+// Purpose:     wxWebRequest implementation using URLSession
+// Author:      Tobias Taschner
+// Created:     2018-10-25
+// Copyright:   (c) 2018 wxWidgets development team
+// Licence:     wxWindows licence
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+// For compilers that support precompilation, includes "wx.h".
+#include "wx/wxprec.h"
+
+#if defined(__BORLANDC__)
+#pragma hdrstop
+#endif
+
+#include "wx/webrequest.h"
+
+#if wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION
+
+#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>
+
+#include "wx/osx/webrequest_urlsession.h"
+
+wxWebSessionURLSession::wxWebSessionURLSession()
+{
+	m_session = [NSURLSession sessionWithConfiguration:
+				 [NSURLSessionConfiguration defaultSessionConfiguration]];
+}
+
+wxWebSessionURLSession::~wxWebSessionURLSession()
+{
+	[m_session release];
+}
+
+wxWebRequest* wxWebSessionURLSession::CreateRequest(const wxString& url, int id)
+{
+	wxFAIL_MSG("not implemented");
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+#endif // wxUSE_WEBREQUEST_URLSESSION