It really is all about the technique. Go with what you like, and yes you can get a perfectly loud guitar sound without a pick. Many players and more mentioned in this forum post have done so with pretty good success.
Also, experiment with hybrid picking (hold a pick with your thumb and pointer finger while fingerpicking with the other three) or using a thumb-pick. These are great ways to split the difference while also not straying too far from what you are already doing.
Best of luck! :D
Douglas Showalter