In recent years, spherical particles based on natural bio-based materials have received increasing attention due to their unique properties, including shape, structure，and ability to bond with other materials. As the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature, lignin has antibacterial and antiviral properties and good biocompatibility, which has great potential for applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food fields. Preliminary research results have been achieved in the using of spherical lignin particles as carriers for encapsulating drugs, including encapsulating active ingredients of drugs for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, encapsulating drugs such as insecticides and antimicrobial agents for application in controlled release formulations of pesticides. This paper reviews the recent research progress related to lignin-based microcapsules. Firstly, the fundamental physicochemical properties and releases influencing factors of lignin-based drug-loaded microcapsules is introduced briefly. Secondly, the preparation methods and corresponding characteristics and advantages of lignin-based drug-loaded microcapsules are outlined in detail to provide more theoretical basis for the preparation of microcapsules. Furthermore, the progress of the application of lignin-based drug-loaded microcapsules with biopharmaceutical application and chemical pesticide application and the key problems that need to be solved are reviewed. Finally, the perspectives for developing of lignin-based drug-loaded microcapsules are thus provided.