In meaning they are the same. Both can be used with the negative. Both can be used with the present perfect or the past perfect.
John has been absent a lot recently. John has been absent a lot lately. Paul has not been healthy recently. Paul has not been healthy lately. Tom came to work today although he had recently been sick. Tom came to work today although he had lately been sick.
In meaning they are the same. Both can be used with the negative. Both can be used with the present perfect or the past perfect.
ردحذفJohn has been absent a lot recently.
John has been absent a lot lately.
Paul has not been healthy recently.
Paul has not been healthy lately.
Tom came to work today although he had recently been sick.
Tom came to work today although he had lately been sick.
In addition, recently can be used with the simple past, but lately cannot.
ردحذفI ate Chinese food recently.
I ate Chinese food lately.((((wrong
Recently can be used before a past participle, but lately cannot.
ردحذفThe archaeologists will explore a recently discovered tomb.
The archaeologists will explore a lately discovered tomb(((wrong.
Recently can be modified, but lately cannot.
ردحذفmore recently
most recently
as recently as ...
in fact, recently and lately can both be used with negative verbs.
ردحذف