How to Watch Chicago Fire Season 12: Stream Online (2024)
- Quick Guide: How to Watch Chicago Fire With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Best VPNs for Streaming Chicago Fire Online in 2024
- ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds for Watching Chicago Fire Without Buffering
- CyberGhost — Optimized Servers Make It Easy to Stream Chicago Fire Season 12
- Private Internet Access — Servers in All US States to Reliably Watch Chicago Fire
- Where Can I Watch Chicago Fire Online?
- FAQs on Watching Chicago Fire With a VPN
- Watch Chicago Fire in Minutes
Only NBC's Peacock is currently streaming season 12 of Chicago Fire, which is exclusive to the US. However, up to season 11 is available in other countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Watching Chicago Fire anywhere using a VPN is theoretically possible. However, this is copyright infringement and goes against most streaming platforms' T&Cs. I still recommend using a VPN when watching Peacock from the US to protect your data. However, not all VPNs are suitable for uninterrupted streaming.
My top choice for securely streaming Chicago Fire in HD is ExpressVPN. After testing over 60 VPNs, it stood out for its impressive connection speeds and military-grade security features. It even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Chicago Fire With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because of its fast speeds and reliable server network, with many locations throughout the US. Plus, you can confidently try it as it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a server close to you in the US. Choosing a server in your state or nearby provides the best streaming speed.
- Start watching. Log into Peacock to watch all 12 seasons of Chicago Fire without buffering.
Best VPNs for Streaming Chicago Fire Online in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds for Watching Chicago Fire Without Buffering
Tested March 2024 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Best Feature | Stable speeds with a barely noticeable speed drop |
Speed | Nearby servers reduced my average download speed by only 6% |
Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including 24 US locations |
Device Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, smart TVs, Roku, Kodi, Fire TV Stick, and more |
ExpressVPN has a proprietary protocol named Lightway, designed to enhance your connection speed without compromising security. It was the fastest VPN tested, dropping my base connection only slightly from 124.88Mbps to 111.98 Mbps on New York servers I tested from further away in Boston. I also noticed less battery usage with Lightway, which is great if you watch Chicago Fire on your phone or tablet.
During my tests from the US, I had no issues streaming on US platforms like NBC and Peacock. My colleagues in the UK and Australia also reported stable connections while streaming their local platforms. ExpressVPN's reliability is thanks to its regular IP address rotation, reducing the chances of getting blocklisted — which happens even when streaming from a country with broadcasting rights.
I used ExpressVPN on several devices, including my Windows laptop, iPhone, and Apple TV. It has a beginner-friendly interface on all platforms. I liked how easy it is to use on Apple TV as it has a native app, and you only need to scan a QR code on your phone to install it — I was streaming Chicago Fire in less than 5 minutes. It also has a custom router app, so you can use it on any device connected to your WiFi.
A minor downside is its higher price tag, starting at $6.67/month. However, this is balanced by the value you get through subscription plan savings. For example, you get 49% off and 3 months for free when you sign up for a long-term plan. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's no risk in trying ExpressVPN.
Useful Features
- MediaStreamer. This DNS service from ExpressVPN is especially useful if your device doesn’t support VPNs natively. It allows you to use ExpressVPN on gaming consoles and unsupported smart TVs. However, note that MediaStreamer only works for US and UK content and won't encrypt your connection.
- Shortcuts. With shortcuts, you can jump from the ExpressVPN app straight to your favorite streaming services to watch Chicago Fire safely with minimal clicks.
- Smart Location. This feature automatically selects the best VPN server for you based on speed, latency, and distance. This can help you watch Chicago Fire in high quality and without buffering.
- Around the clock support. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat and email for immediate assistance. I got quick responses each time I tested it, and the agent was always friendly.
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers Make It Easy to Stream Chicago Fire Season 12
Best Feature | Streaming servers designed explicitly for watching NBC |
Speed | Regular servers are slower than ExpressVPN but still enable HD streaming |
Server Network | 11,690 servers in 100 countries, with 11 US locations |
Device Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, smart TVs, Roku, Kodi, Fire TV Stick, and more |
CyberGhost's dedicated servers for streaming Chicago Fire are regularly updated to ensure they provide the best experience. I used its Peacock-optimized server during testing to stream NBC from the US in picture-perfect quality. If you're in the UK, you can use the server optimized for Amazon Prime UK to watch the previous seasons in HD.
Although my speed dropped by 24% testing New York servers, its streaming-optimized servers barely yielded any reduction at only 4%. If fast connection speeds are your priority, I recommend switching to the WireGuard protocol. My speed with CyberGhost was always great for uninterrupted streaming.
Apps are easy to use and include multiple convenient features. For instance, I set it up to automatically connect to a streaming-optimized server in the US as soon as I open my local platforms like Peacock. Apps for various operating systems look almost identical, so you can immediately start streaming when switching devices.
One small con is that the monthly plan comes with a shorter, 14-day money-back guarantee and is a bit pricey. However, if you opt for a long-term subscription, you get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee and pay only $2.03/month. I tested its refund process and got my money back in my PayPal account 3 days after canceling via 24/7 live chat.
Useful Features
- Exceptions. CyberGhost lets you specify which websites and apps bypass the VPN. This can improve your connection speeds by only encrypting some of your internet traffic.
- Router compatible. When setting up CyberGhost on your router, you can stream with and protect any device in your home network.
- Block Content. By turning on the Block Content feature, you can block ads and potentially malicious websites.
3. Private Internet Access — Servers in All US States to Reliably Watch Chicago Fire
Best Feature | Avoids overcrowding by offering servers in 53 US locations |
Speed | US servers gave me an average download speed of 102.52Mbps against a base 125.01Mbps |
Server Network | 29,650 servers in 91 countries to easily find a server near you |
Device Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, smart TVs, Roku, Kodi, Fire TV Stick, and more |
By connecting to a server in your US state, you can get a more reliable connection for watching Chicago Fire season 12. For example, in my tests, PIA’s servers in my state reduced my speed by only 9%, whereas those in New York slowed me down by 18%.
You can use PIA on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. This is beneficial when multiple people in your household want to use the VPN on their various different devices. I tested for any change in VPN performance if I streamed Chicago Fire on 9 devices at once, but my connection remained stable.
PIA's apps are loaded with options and customizable features, which may overwhelm some users. However, the good news is that you don't need to adjust settings to stream Chicago Fire safely. The default settings are pre-configured for streaming.
You can get a long-term plan for only $2.03/month. There's also no risk in trying PIA for watching Chicago Fire because of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- Streaming servers. Like CyberGhost, PIA also offers streaming-optimized servers, but only for specific countries, including the US and UK. These servers are designed to provide better streaming speeds than the regular servers.
- MACE. PIA's MACE feature blocks domains used for ads, trackers, and malware. While it’s not as effective as a regular ad-blocker, this feature blocked most ads in my tests.
Where Can I Watch Chicago Fire Online?
Chicago Fire is only available in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. However, season 12 is only broadcast in the US via NBC. Here’s where you can watch the old and the new episodes of Chicago Fire.
US
You can watch season 12 online on Peacock shortly after they air on NBC. Additional options include FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. If you’re not already subscribed to any of those services, I recommend Peacock as the most affordable option. It will cost you only $5.99 per month.
Canada
In Canada, the new episodes will air on Citytv every Wednesday at 9 pm. You can watch the first three episodes for free. To continue watching after February 5th, you’ll either need to sign in using your TV service provider login credentials or start a free 7-day trial of Citytv+ on Amazon Prime Video Canada. You also need an active subscription for watching older seasons.
UK
The release date for Chicago Fire season 12 in the UK is currently unknown. In the past, it usually aired on Sky Witness a few months after the US. If you have a Sky TV subscription, you can stream season 1 to 9 through the Sky Go app. Alternatively, you can opt for Now TV's Entertainment package. If you want to rewatch the old episodes, you can also get up to season 9 with Amazon Prime Video UK. Season 11 is available for purchase on Apple TV and Vudu.
Australia
It’s still unknown when the new season will air in Australia, but previously you could watch them on FOX. If you’re an existing Foxtel customer, you can stream FOX in Australia via the Foxtel Go app. You can also subscribe to Foxtel Now — it offers a 10-day free trial. You can stream up to season 9 on Binge and Amazon Prime Video. 7Plus has some episodes of season 11.
FAQs on Watching Chicago Fire With a VPN
Where can I watch Chicago Fire for free?
There are currently no legitimate streaming platforms that offer all episodes of Chicago Fire for free. While many websites claim to offer free Chicago Fire streams, they are often plagued with malware and phishing tools. To protect your data online, always use a secure VPN and avoid using unofficial streaming sites. If you’re in the US, a much better option is getting a free trial with an official platform like Fubo or DirecTV Stream.
Can I watch Chicago Fire Season 12 without cable?
Yes, you can watch Chicago Fire season 12 without cable via Peacock in the US. Here’s where else you can watch Chicago Fire safely online. While you can theoretically use a VPN to connect to a US server and watch Chicago Fire anywhere, this violates copyright laws and most platforms’ T&Cs.
Is Chicago Fire Season 12 available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video?
Chicago Fire season 12 is not on Netflix, but you can watch older seasons on Amazon Prime Video. In the US, the latest season is only available for streaming on NBC. You can also watch old episodes from countries like the UK and Australia. For example, Amazon Prime Video UK offers the first 9 seasons.
Watch Chicago Fire in Minutes
Only NBC is currently streaming season 12 of Chicago Fire online. Using a reliable VPN to protect your data while streaming is a good idea. However, only quality VPNs can offer this protection without compromising on speed.
ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation for watching Chicago Fire season 12 safely and in HD. In addition to premium security features, it offers fast speeds and is compatible with all major operating systems. Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.
To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching Chicago Fire...
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