I found a long term vanilla server that is trying to start up with a group that actually plays a lot.
It stays close to normal Minecraft with only a few plugins for quality of life stuff and anti cheat. Nothing is added that changes the core game.
It is whitelisted so you have to get approved first. The owner wants people who are serious and can play regularly. Everyone is welcome as long as you are not annoying or rude.
They want to open it as soon as possible depending on interest.
StravosSMP is a survival server that tries to keep the vanilla feel but adds some quality of life stuff. It runs on the most up to date version listed as 1.26.1 and you do not need to download a modpack since it is all server side.
The big things people talk about are graves so your items do not just vanish after you die and VeinMiner so you can clear ore veins faster. There is also a live auction house so players can buy sell and trade items from anywhere.
Getting around is easier too since you can use sethome and tpa. The server also says it is fair with no buy to win ranks so everyone starts with the same features.
BeeetCraft is a semi vanilla SMP that feels calm and not like one of those chaotic public servers. It is built for a slower pace and a long term world with people who actually stick around.
It uses vanilla plus style gameplay with quality of life tweaks and nothing that feels overpowered. Netherite tools are not allowed right now so the progression stays more balanced. The community helps steer the server since players vote on features and future updates.
There is a whitelist to help keep griefers out and the server is aimed at a 17 plus mature player base. It runs on a dedicated self hosted machine so it is not the laggy shared hosting type.
They want towns to form naturally and for shops and a player economy to matter. Rivalries and politics can happen but without the toxic stuff. They have events too like an arena style fighting tourney and more details are shared in their Discord. Bedrock support was also added and the center spawn has been getting shaped so new players can build around there.
NisseSMP is a HermitCraft inspired survival server that runs on Java and Bedrock crossplay with a vanilla plus feel.
It is no grief and no PvP so people focus on building and just playing survival together. There are no claims so the server relies on respect and trust to keep stuff safe.
Anyone can join since there is no whitelist. The economy is player driven with shops trading and virtual currency and the plugins are just quality of life.
It also has an active community and during peak hours it can hit around 30 to 60 players online. There is a live map too so you can see what is going on.
Malgazar is a semi vanilla Minecraft server that feels close to the classic game but with a few quality of life changes.
It supports both Java and Bedrock so more people can play together. The server runs on version 1.21.11 and it is hosted in Europe for steady performance.
There is a strict no griefing rule and keep inventory is turned on. That makes it easier to build and explore without stressing about losing your stuff.
The vibe is relaxed and fair. You can survive build or just hang out with other players.
Onion SMP is a smooth survival server made for fun and long term progress. It is built to feel lag free so you can just play and grind without it getting messy.
The spawn is really nice and helps new players get started. You can claim your builds and bases so you do not have to stress about griefing.
There is a green zone and a red zone so you can choose safer exploring or take more risk for a more exciting time. The server also has QOL stuff like /home and /auctionhouse and /duels to make playing faster.
You can use /tags to show off a tag in tab and chat. There is also a rankup system so you can move up as you play.
Lavender SMP is a whitelist Java server on 1.21.11 and it runs on hard mode. It is 18+ and lgbtq+ friendly and it feels like a close knit group that likes building and talking.
It uses Simple Voice Chat so you can hop in when people are chatting and just hang out. There are quality of life add ons like AFK Display and Anti Enderman Grief plus fun extras like More Mob Heads Player Head Drops and Mini Blocks.
It also has DiscordSRV and Double Shulker Shells so storage runs feel a bit nicer.
BackToBlocks is a simple survival server that keeps the vanilla vibe but adds a few quality of life things so it feels smoother.
It supports both Java and Bedrock players so more friends can join together. The spawn is built by the community and the server runs events sometimes.
There is a decorated End island and a Nether hub for getting around. Players also run a shopping district so trading and building shops is a big part of the world.
You get light commands like sethome and tpa. There is also itemflip where you can gamble items just for fun. Phantoms can be toggled too.
The rules are pretty clear. No pay to win and no silly plugins. It is not focused on PvP but PvP and raiding are allowed within limits. Griefing is not allowed so it stays about survival and community builds.
I found a Bedrock factions realm that is starting up and looking for players.
It has a few quality of life mods like tree capitator.
The rules and how stuff works will be decided by polls once everyone is in the Discord. There is a mace limit a 3 life hardcore setup and a smaller world border.
You answer a questionnaire and then you get a Discord friend request.
BackToBlocks is a simple survival server that sticks close to vanilla but adds some quality of life stuff. It works on both Java and Bedrock so more friends can join together.
The server has a spawn area where people can host events or just hang out. Players also work on big shared projects like decorating the end island and building up a nether hub.
There are useful commands like set homes and tpa. Phantoms can be toggled. There is also a risky little game where you can gamble items with /itemflip.
It is not meant to be a sweaty pvp server but pvp and raiding are allowed within limits. Griefing is not allowed and the server is focused on fair play with no pay to win.