Earlier vs Lately - What's the difference?

As adverbs the difference between earlier and lately

is that earlier is comparative of early while lately is recently; not long ago.

is comparative of early.

(head)

(early)

occurring previously

I shall be late because I missed the earlier train.

(head)

(early)

previously; before now; sooner

I shall be late because I didn't start earlier .

(en-adv)

Recently; not long ago.