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I'm sure you'll get many opinions on this and sometimes the difference can be very vague. Often a figurative painting has the subject doing something in an environment or interacting with physical objects. A portrait could also, but I would say this happens less often. Sometimes a figurative painting has the subject in costume that is not contemporary or has a fantasy flair to it - but, a commissioned portrait could have these characteristics, but less often.
Generally a figurative painting is something intended to be sold to some as-yet unknown consumer, whereas a portrait is commissioned by a specific client. There are "practice" portraits or "for portfolio" portraits that a painter might do that are not commissioned, but have the general feel of a commissioned portrait and would probably fit best under the regular critiques section.
As you can see, there aren't hard and fast rules. Some paintings are clearly figurative and some are not so clear.
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