I found a small semi vanilla SMP that is being tested right now.
The plan is to fully start in about a week so it feels like everyone can begin around the same time.
It is meant to keep that vanilla survival feel while staying a small group server.
Small Semi Vanilla SMP Launching Soon
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPCozyMC New Year Vanilla Survival
This server feels like a big friendly world where everyone plays real vanilla survival. It is all about trust and long term players. People build bases and shops without using claim plugins or locked chests and it actually works.
There are no payments or donations or perks. There is no monetization at all. Everyone plays the same and there is no pay to win stuff.
To get full survival access you have to read the rules first and follow the steps. That is how they keep the server safe and make sure new players know how things work.
The owner is super into survival and you can tell the community was built slowly with hard work. If you want a simple survival server with a real trust based community this one is worth trying.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IP