I found this Minecraft hosting thing called MaximusHost and it has a pay for what you use setup. You buy credits and it charges you based on the server resources.
It is super cheap when the server is off and most of the cost is when it is running. They even say a small or moderate server that only runs on weekends can be around 2 to 5 dollars a month.
You can set schedules to start and stop the server by itself so weekend only servers are easy. It also gives you full console access and full access to your server files. You can share access with friends too.
It supports Minecraft Java and Bedrock and it can use Geyser so people can crossplay. Right now it is on one dedicated US East server but they said it can scale up as more people use it.
New users get 1000 free credits to try it. There is also a referral thing where the new person gets 1000 credits and the person who referred them gets 2000 credits.
Pay Only When Your Server Runs
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPAZURE SMP Semi-Anarchy PVP Launch Day
I found a server called AZURE SMP that is trying to recreate the AltarSMP but in their own way
It is an SMP with PVP and it leans semi anarchy so it sounds like things can get wild
They also use plugins to make setbacks less grueling to come back from and they add some quality of life stuff too
It is launching today and it has stuff like ender pearl cooldowns an end lock crossplay with Geyser and Floodgate and anti combat log plus some extra gameplay pluginsGG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IP