You should take some things in consideration before choosing the server. First: no all servers are so CS biased, but if you dont want to donate you will have to considerer in investing some time in the game.
The non-donators way always take more time, donators way is thought for people that want things fast or doesn't have that much free time -basically because of their jobs-.
In Lavalon, there are several things that supports the non-donators life, if you are skilled enough in farming. A lot of players of the server can confirm this.
1 - Higher drop rates. A lot of p-server promess you increase items drops, but if you check them with enough attention you'll see their drops rates are with luck in x2, if not x1. Customize the drop rates its one of the hardest things in the game.
- In lavalon you have a real increased drop rate. Which means you can get plenty of souls in one hour of farming, if you choose farm for souls insted of other items. You can sell them in shop for cash, so if you do this frequently enough you'll get a really nice equip without the need of donating.
- Its the only pserver that doesn't have it ALL in cash shop. Other pservers adds items like autojob items (which completely kills the sigil's market and prevent you from getting any money from it) and even glorious set in cash shop.
The glorious sets in cash shop are the worst idea ever. Not only gives a really easy access to one of the most op sets to donatrs, but completely kills pvp.
- It's the only private server that have added a modification on the relationship between aim and eva. Still there is a lot to do on that matter, but at least if your work on your aim you'll have chances to hit those high eva players. It's also the only pserver with 1 vs. 1 ranking and CP reward from duel.
- It has a voting system to get free coins. It also gives a very cool starting package, with the bests stats you'll find in any free cash shop costume.: +20 health, to have a little more hp when you are just starting, +15 % movement speed (cause anyone hates a slow char), +5 % aim rate (to help balance the aim problem a little more) and +3 % sucess rate (you can stack it with other items to go more fast to legend). And the sets also looks good.
- And, if this isn't enough, its the only psesrver that indeed have updates. Right now is the only one with the new pets and sets official have -for example-. Its also the only one with the elements system, with the new dungeons, and like the other servers are going will be probably the only one that will add the new pvp modes.
And its not like the server just add everything as same as official. For example, in lavalon you'll find the new rings but the new f7 mode wasn't implemented. So no time restrictions, for example.
I could give you a lot more of arguments, but you are probably tired enough of reading this. If you invest a little more time in your character, and you compare the servers with an objetive eye, you'll see why is the more balanced of them all.