Want to finish an unfinished upstairs, but not sold on using drywall, taping and mud?

Any help would be appreciated.

What other products are out there that can be used inplace of drywall? Has anyone worked with Dryvit? I think that’s how you spell it. Also is there anything out there that you can put over an existing finished wall (made with 1/2″ drywall) that will alow you to go over it with plaster?