1. The main difference in usage between 'recently' and 'lately' is that 'recently' can be used with the simple past, but 'lately' cannot. lately is best used for periods of time or states, and recently is best used for points of time or actions.
I saw Emily recently lately.
She recently lately found a new job.
Informally, 'lately' can be used with the simple present or present progressive:
She seems to be happy lately.
He’s being very careful lately.
In sentences like these, 'recently' cannot be used.
2. The Longman Dictionary of American English* gives a usage note:
• You must always use lately with the present perfect tense. It shows that the situation you are talking about is still continuing. You can use recently like this, too: I've been very busy lately / There hasn't been much rain recently.
You can also use recently with the simple past tense to talk about something that happened not long ago. They recently got married.
3. 'recently' can come before past participles, but 'lately' cannot – a recently discovered star.; 'recently' can be compared, but 'lately' cannot- -- as recently as...; more recently; most recently。