I found NerdNu and it feels like a medium sized server that really cares about community and mostly vanilla gameplay. It is for players who miss that old Minecraft feeling where people actually know each other.
The PvE server is updated to 1.21.10 and it is survival building without PvP so you only worry about mobs. People work together on towns and big city builds and the PvE map reset on September 19th. They also do games nights with different player hosts like spleef thimble and ice boat races on Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 1pm US Eastern time.
There is also a Creative server on 1.21.10 with open world building and a mix of natural terrain and world painted areas. You can protect your builds and WorldEdit is free to use. Creative has community events too like spleef and speed build on alternating Saturdays and their current map revision started on June 22 2024.
Their snapshot server is currently closed because of recent updates and they will announce when it comes back.
Small Semi Vanilla SMP Starting Soon

I found a small semi vanilla SMP that is in testing right now.
They plan to officially start in about a week so it feels like a good time to get in early.
It is survival multiplayer with a mostly vanilla style and it sounds like they are still getting things ready.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPEU Lifesteal Survival With Combat Lock

MinecraftOffline is an EU based survival server that tries to feel different with custom plugins.
The big thing is lifesteal. You can gain hearts by killing other players and you lose hearts when you die. If you run out of hearts you get banned. New players get a 1 hour grace period so they will not lose hearts right away.
It also has stuff to make playing easier like setting a home and teleport requests to other players. You can vote to skip the night with a simple command.
PvP has rules built into the server since commands are blocked during fights and combat logging gets punished. If someone logs out in combat they get replaced by a killable NPC that drops their items.
There is a vote token shop for custom name colours and custom MOTDs. There are also stats for playtime kills and deaths with rewards at milestones. The server has anti extreme speed cheat protection and it also blocks serious chat spam.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPChill Crossplay Economy SMP From Day One

CryoMC is a new survival SMP that is built around a chill community and an economy. It is meant to feel like Minecraft while still having helpful plugins.
The server is no grief so people can build without getting wrecked. It also has things like keep inventory, grief prevention, player warps, and chest shops. There are more plugins too but it still stays close to the normal survival feel.
It supports both Java and Bedrock and it also allows all versions. You can join early and help shape the world from the start.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPPGMC World Multi Mode SMP Hub

PGMC World is a Minecraft server where you can pick how you want to play and swap between different servers using simple commands.
There is a survival option for SMP style play a creative option for building and a vanilla option if you want it to feel more classic.
It also supports Bedrock players which makes it easier to bring friends on different devices.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPBRAND NEW LIFESTEAL SMP STARTING NOW

I found a brand new Lifesteal SMP that is just starting up.
It is a survival multiplayer server where fighting matters and you can lose hearts when you get taken out.
It looks like the main thing here is joining in early and building up your spot while everyone else is also new.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPOathwood Semi Vanilla Calm Adult Survival

Oathwood is a cozy semi vanilla survival server that is made for the long run and it also has light roleplay.
People live in towns and nations and it feels like village life matters. You can level up skills with mcMMO and the economy uses diamonds. Players run their own Shopkeepers so trading feels real.
There is Simple Voice Chat so towns feel more alive when people are around. It also has a few comfort features like TreeFeller sit and Carry On. The pace is relaxed and you earn your progress. It is meant to be a calm home for adult players who want to build something that lasts.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPBudderCraft Tower Defense Challenge

BudderCraft Network has a Tower Defense gamemode and it is the big focus here even if the server is not only about that. The goal is simple do not let enemies reach the exit. It feels like those classic tower defense games but inside Minecraft.
There are 15 different towers to mess with and 5 classes you can pick from. Each tower has different abilities like splash damage fire farming slow freeze confusion rage and withering. You also get target options so you can control what your towers go for instead of just hoping.
The upgrade system is grid based and you only get 9 upgrades to spend so you have to think. Towers have a bunch of upgrade choices and you unlock paths from top to bottom. There are 25 custom preset rounds so the waves stay the same each time.
It has 9 3D maps and the obstacles actually block tower attacks so placement matters a lot. After you win you can keep going in an optional freeplay mode that ramps up for even more challenge. There are 5 difficulties from super easy beginner to expert where even the owner still struggles on most maps.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPSableCraft Long Term Vanilla SMP

SableCraft is a small semi vanilla survival SMP that is meant to last a long time. It is not trying to be a giant place that wipes the world all the time.
The vibe is chill and respectful and it welcomes builders casual players and creators. They say no pay to win stuff and no anarchy and no drama.
The direction of the server is community driven from day one and the launch is coming soon. There is a season one player application and optional staff applications plus announcements and pre launch talks.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPDinguses United Long Term Builders Realm

Dinguses United is a Bedrock Realm that has been running for years and it is made for people who want a world that actually lasts.
It is focused on builders and long term projects so you can settle in and work on something big. The community is chill and respectful and there are community districts plus builds that people do together.
There are no constant resets and it is not a chaotic place. The mods keep things light but still protect your builds and they do not act weird with power.
It is survival with some quality of life add ons and an End overhaul for deeper late game progress. It also keeps vanilla textures.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IP

